orchids

[taskey]

afternoon all

i have just 'aqcuired' these two beauties. the label says phalaenopsis orchids. i have put them in the hall way which gets light all day long. the roots of one are poking through the clear tub, only one or 2 though.

are they ok in the dark pots they are in now (they are in clear pots inside the dark ones) and should i repot the one with the roots or should i just leave thm alone.

Many thanks

Tracy

[Graham S]

Orchids like being in clear pots, the roots seems to benefit from the light. Probably some sort of symbiosis with the algae/bacteria. If you need to repot, use clear pots and a good orchid compost and repot after flowering. Being shade plants they should do OK in your hall

[taskey]

fab, thanks

Tracy

[Tam]

I always use clear pots for orchids, but they are always in decorative pots. The clear pots allow you to keep an eye on the roots as they are liable to rot - they also let you know when you have to pot them on, or prune the roots.

[taskey]

ok, so should i take them out the darker pots and just keep them in a shallow pot?

[Graham S]

Phalaenopsis orchids and others which normally grow on things rather than in the ground are used to having their roots exposed to light, so clear pots do give them a little more encouragement.
So if they need to be in another pot a shallow decorative one would be good fine.

As you've got two, you could experiment - one in clearpot and one in normal pot!!

[Stacey Steve]

OH has been given one of these and she would like to know what you should feed them with and how often.

[Graham S]

You can buy specific orchid feed or use general purpose plant food at half the recommended strength. Feed every 2-3 weeks in Spring/summer, reduce to every 6 weeks in winter. Try and water with rain water.