When I brought it home, all of the leaves were limp and really wrinkled. I watered it until the water ran out of the bottom of the pot, but wasn't sure if that was the right thing to do. That's when I really started researching, and found out about bad roots. I took it out of the pot, and cut off anything I could see that was flat and/or brown, and put it back in the pot. Within a week, I had two new buds form, but in a couple of days one fell off. I think it's a bud-it's on the top of the stem where the flowers were), And I have two new growths that I think are new roots growing under the leaves. I have photos, and I'm going to try to figure out how to post them. All but one of the leaves are now standing up and out like they are happy and healthy instead of all limp, wrinkled and hanging, so I think I'm on the right track.

What worries me is trying to get through all the moss to see if there are any more roots that might need to go? If I pull it all out, could I do damage to the orchid? I'm finding all kinds of conflicting information online, so I'm hoping I might have my usual luck with a GW forum to set me on the right path.

I live in New England, and it's in a sort of southwest window, with a mini-blind that I open in the morning and close in the evening when the sun goes down. I know I need to find a different place for it, but I don't have windows on the east/north side of my apartment, so come late spring I will have some figuring to do, I know.
Right now though, I'm more concerned with getting the potting mix and water right. The rest will come together in time.

(The LL after dogs is LandLord)

Lynn. :)

I think you are on the right track with this plant. Place it in a warm spot and try to gradually increase the light. You can put it near a west window, just pull it back a bit so it doesn't get burned. I grew many orchids well in a SW window including Phals. I would put them in the second or third row from the window.

In March, you can think about repotting, although the pot size seems find but you might want to change the potting media.

Let the plant adjust to your home and environment. Increase light and water when the media feels almost dry. Don't mist.

These are some of my Phals blooming in a West window when I lived in NY. You can see they are behind the first row of orchids.

Jane

It's in my kitchen, and I've had it here for just under two weeks. Opening/closing the blind is during the winter/early spring, but as soon as it warms up enough, I usually pull the blind up halfway and the window just stays open, unless it's hot enough to close everything and run the air conditioner. That's why a bit later in the year I'll have to find somewhere else to put it, I think. I managed to kill a couple of African Violets by not realizing how strong the sun comes in on that side of the house. But I want to try lowering and just partially closing the blind first. I'll research what too much sun does to orchids, so I'll be familiar with what to look out for.

As for watering, I've watered it twice since it's been here. I now know that the first time wasn't enough, but the second time, last Thursday, I ran about 1/2 gallon through it then let it sit on the divider between the sinks to finish draining before I put it back on its saucer. That's when two new little roots popped out under the lowest leaf.

That leaf has not recovered and I'm wondering if I should trim it off. It's green but still wrinkled and really floppy. The flower stalk is about 2' long, maybe a bit more, I'm finding conflicting info on whether to cut it off, how much to cut, how much to leave, etc. Can anyone share some insight on both the leaf and the stalk, and what I should do with them?

Lynn

I wouldn't let it get too much colder either.

Good luck,

Bob

Trust your growing instincts. They are usually right. Orchids don't grow in the ground the way dirt plants do. Their roots have adapted to growing in the air, on the sides of trees, hills, rocks. As a result, their roots need to 'drip-dry.' They will die if kept too wet.

But growing them isn't a whole lot different than other dirt plants. You just need to train yourself to remember the difference with the roots.

Some people think Phals are the easiest, but others become frustrated trying to grow them. If you keep your house too cool in winter, you could run into trouble. Wet and cold spell trouble with most orchids.

There are orchids which like cold and damp. If you are interested you can try those.

Bobs instructions regarding the stem is right. The leaf, I would leave it unless it is falling off or looking mushy.

Good luck,
Jane

You are, I think, right on about that leaf. It's not at all mushy, just limp and still wrinkled. I know I still need to feel my way through the watering frequency, but now I'm wondering if I might have a bad root or a couple of them hindering it's comeback.

I can't wait for it to warm up even a little. When it's time to repot, I plan to get a plastic pot. It's hard to tell how wet/dry it is in this clay one. I've read all the info on planting media, so all I have to do is a) figure out what's easiest for me to get my hands on and b) which one sounds best. That, I think, will also be the best time for me to get a really good look at the roots, deeper than I can see from just pulling it out of the pot.

Thanks for all the help!
Lynn

For a small number of orrchids, using the pot weight method (heavy when wet, light when dry) should work to determine when to water. Or for this particular orchid, water when the moss gets crunchy :-)

Clay pots, wet media and a cool room are a very difficult combination for phals. As Jane said, keep it drier if you can't keep it warmer. Phals don't usually like to get much below 65.

Next fall you'll probably want to induce a 10-15 degree drop in day/night temps to initiate new flower spikes on this phal. Can accomplish by leaving a window open at night or leaving them outside until temps drop below 60 at night.

Good luck,

Bob

Have fun,
Jane

I'm already eyeing the filing cabinets beside my desk, wondering where I can put the stuff on top of them so I can put the orchid there....I mean, it's way warmer here than in the kitchen....and the window has sheer curtains that would be a perfect filter for summer sun on this side of the house.

Lynn

I have to keep a deft ear to jane__ny about orchids am an incurable plant addict the way it is (outdoors that is) my 2 Phals were gifts 2.5 yrs ago & am already a slave along w/ 2 babies (tree shaped baby Alberta Spruce & Rosemary) that are shedding (drives me nuts) ~ can't wait to bring them out!

Thnx for all the *new learnings* in this thread!!!