Lilith
06-09-04, 08:57AM
I have always been under the impression that orchids were difficult to grow under livingroom conditions. That impression was rather reinforced by the fact that the only orchid I have owned before (a grocery-store florists' one that arrived w/out instructions and in a so-so shape) had died despite my best efforts to keep it alive.
Now, the reason that is worth noting is that I am generally very good with plants, even with the more sensitive varieties, such as bonsai trees and potted fruiting citrus. Oh well.
Last weekend during the "relatives' visitation", I have received a Phalaenopsis hybrid (no, not a hot pink one!) from my boyfriends' grandmother--with a little instruction card and assurances that it is very easy to take care of--just put it in a somewhat light spot and submerge the bark-and-aerial-root-filled pot in water for 10 minutes every other week. And fertilize from time to time, like once a month or so with orchid fertilizer.
Thing is, I really really want to keep it alive. It is amazingly beautiful, with thick silver-green aerial roots, shiny oval leaves, and two spikes of blooms about 8cm across each in magnificent, almost highlight-marker iridescent, lime-green-yellow-with-light-purple-spotting pattern. I like flowering plants in general, but this one is of the caliber that suckers you right into silly adoration.
OK, the care sounds easy, right? Well, the thing is--I feel like I don't know enough about the plant, so I go online to read up. I find that the watering/fertilizing instructions are just as gran told me, but the light levels are hard as hell to estimate. Scandinavia or not, plants can still receive sunburn in our South window (only the citrus sits in direct light, as it seems to enjoy day-long frying), and all sites say NO direct sunlight for phalaenopsis orchids. I have placed the orchid near the wall opposing the window (a large one, french door actually), but now I worry that it doesn't get enough light... but then, it does get enough light to be equivalent to "shaded South window". Oh dammit...anyone know much about plant light levels?
To further my fretting, I find, upon closer inspection of the plant, that some (not all) of the unopened flower-buds are "blasted", meaning they have been damaged by lack or excess of something or other at the retailer, and are likely to fall off. I commence regular sprayings wth fine water mist and hope for the best, but judging by their color, they aren't likely to recover. Or they might... orchid flower life is up to 4 months (of Phalaenopsis', anyway), and that is a long time in terms of plants. Searches on several websites specializing in orchids have given me no answers, and I am a bit frustrated.
Anyone here who knows what I am talking about, advice and suggestions are very welcome.
Now, the reason that is worth noting is that I am generally very good with plants, even with the more sensitive varieties, such as bonsai trees and potted fruiting citrus. Oh well.
Last weekend during the "relatives' visitation", I have received a Phalaenopsis hybrid (no, not a hot pink one!) from my boyfriends' grandmother--with a little instruction card and assurances that it is very easy to take care of--just put it in a somewhat light spot and submerge the bark-and-aerial-root-filled pot in water for 10 minutes every other week. And fertilize from time to time, like once a month or so with orchid fertilizer.
Thing is, I really really want to keep it alive. It is amazingly beautiful, with thick silver-green aerial roots, shiny oval leaves, and two spikes of blooms about 8cm across each in magnificent, almost highlight-marker iridescent, lime-green-yellow-with-light-purple-spotting pattern. I like flowering plants in general, but this one is of the caliber that suckers you right into silly adoration.
OK, the care sounds easy, right? Well, the thing is--I feel like I don't know enough about the plant, so I go online to read up. I find that the watering/fertilizing instructions are just as gran told me, but the light levels are hard as hell to estimate. Scandinavia or not, plants can still receive sunburn in our South window (only the citrus sits in direct light, as it seems to enjoy day-long frying), and all sites say NO direct sunlight for phalaenopsis orchids. I have placed the orchid near the wall opposing the window (a large one, french door actually), but now I worry that it doesn't get enough light... but then, it does get enough light to be equivalent to "shaded South window". Oh dammit...anyone know much about plant light levels?
To further my fretting, I find, upon closer inspection of the plant, that some (not all) of the unopened flower-buds are "blasted", meaning they have been damaged by lack or excess of something or other at the retailer, and are likely to fall off. I commence regular sprayings wth fine water mist and hope for the best, but judging by their color, they aren't likely to recover. Or they might... orchid flower life is up to 4 months (of Phalaenopsis', anyway), and that is a long time in terms of plants. Searches on several websites specializing in orchids have given me no answers, and I am a bit frustrated.
Anyone here who knows what I am talking about, advice and suggestions are very welcome.