Orchids, anyone? *pics*

[pearsjd]

Seeing if there are any other orchid lovers out there! I adore orchids, although for the longest time I was terrified of them. Besides being beautiful, all I ever heard about them was how hard they were to keep. And some are, but the ones I have are thriving. Moth Orchids, I believe they're called, all in the Phalaenopsis genus. Here are pics of a few of my mine: If anyone else has pictures, or anything, I would love to see or hear about them!

 

[Fierlin1182]

Beautiful flowers, pears. Some flowers used to terrify me too. I think some still do. I love the colours on those.

 

[Dawn419]

Your Phals are gorgeous, pears!

Hubby had quite a collection of orchids before we met, then got back into them after we got together.

I was terrfied at the thought of growing them, too, but it didn't last long!

Here's two photo albums of some of our old collection:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/...shareprintsharer&linkid=link5&cid=EM_sharshar


http://share.shutterfly.com/action/...shareprintsharer&linkid=link5&cid=EM_sharshar

 

[thaiturkey]

Beautiful orchids!

Ours aren't in flower just now but the season will start soon and I'll take some pics. to post.

We pot them in coconut shells, hang them in trees in the garden and spray water at them when there's no rain. Indoors, I think you have to be careful with humidity and light.

 

[babymakes6]

Beautiful! Maybe one of you can help me. I bought two phaleonopsis orchids last summer at Kroger that were on clearance for a dollar. They still had a bloom or two on them, but were just about finished blooming. I gave them each 3 ice cubes once a week, like the directions said to do. Over the winter I left them go (for at least 4 months I did nothing with them) and they shriveled up. I went to throw them out about 6 weeks ago, and noticed they both had a new shoot or two with many buds on it! I started watering them again, but haven't used anything else. They are in a south window, so they get lots of sunlight, but the buds keep drying up and falling off. What do I need to do to get the buds to open?

 

[thaiturkey]

I don't know much about growing orchids in temperate climates but they do have an off season. I'd suggest that you don't give them direct sunlight and not too much water. Ours hang in the shade of trees and we spray them with the garden spray. They don't need much compost and, probably, can become waterlogged in pots standing on a base. I think you will find that they will take in moisture from exposed roots. I don't understand why they would need ice cubes. They like warmth.

Here's an old pic. I found. Most of our orchids are in coconut shells, as I said. This one is in a plastic pot with shredded coconut husk as a growing medium. Roots will extend beyond the pots, gathering moisture from the air and the garden spray. Try to simulate that arrangement as best you can in your own environment. Protect then from cold temperatures.

 

[thaiturkey]

This one is also hanging under a tree.

 

[Dawn419]

Beautiful! Maybe one of you can help me. I bought two phaleonopsis orchids last summer at Kroger that were on clearance for a dollar. They still had a bloom or two on them, but were just about finished blooming. I gave them each 3 ice cubes once a week, like the directions said to do. Over the winter I left them go (for at least 4 months I did nothing with them) and they shriveled up. I went to throw them out about 6 weeks ago, and noticed they both had a new shoot or two with many buds on it! I started watering them again, but haven't used anything else. They are in a south window, so they get lots of sunlight, but the buds keep drying up and falling off. What do I need to do to get the buds to open?

Here's some info that should help you: http://www.phalaenopsiscare.net/moth-orchid-care.htm

I've never heard of using ice cubes to water them. We just mist the roots daily and gave the pots a good soaking once a week in warm weather, using rain water.

 

[babymakes6]

Thank you both so much! I bookmarked that site and read several pages on it already-it looks to be a very useful site! I will try fertilizing them a little, and moving them to a different spot. Maybe I can get them to grow yet! Thaiturkey-your pictures are beautiful!