Just got a new swan orchid, would love tips! <3
I just got Luna today, it’s my first larger sized orchid! I’m a noob when it comes to house plants, and I would love tips on how to take care of this plant and let it thrive. I noticed some darkness on at least one of the leaves at the base and didn’t know if it could be rot or something of concern; and also a hole on one of the leaves. And I don’t know if I should repot it once the blooms drop and put it in something different like bark or a bark/moss mix—I would love some tips on how to keep it alive/healthy,how often to water, etc! <3 #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #OrchidLovers #PhalaenopsisOrchid #Phalaenopsis #PlantAddict
4ft to light, indirect
6” pot with drainage
Last watered 8 months ago
5
Soil mix: half bark half moss
Watering : water when the top 2 inches of soil dry out and do not use ice cubes run the pot through the sink turn on the water go around the leaves do this for about a minute
Light : orchids like bright interact, light minus and natural light, but sadly, my windows got tinted. I hope it does not affect my orchid. That is finally pushing out a new flower bike for the first time in my life
Reporting : that looks like it really needs a bigger pot but do it when the flowers fall and die anyways and to all the moss and cut off all the roots that are mushy black dry, thin crispy or that just don’t look healthy and then find a pot that’s one to 2 inches bigger and then use the soil mix that I told you this is what I do with mine and she’s thriving for the first time in my life
Watering : water when the top 2 inches of soil dry out and do not use ice cubes run the pot through the sink turn on the water go around the leaves do this for about a minute
Light : orchids like bright interact, light minus and natural light, but sadly, my windows got tinted. I hope it does not affect my orchid. That is finally pushing out a new flower bike for the first time in my life
Reporting : that looks like it really needs a bigger pot but do it when the flowers fall and die anyways and to all the moss and cut off all the roots that are mushy black dry, thin crispy or that just don’t look healthy and then find a pot that’s one to 2 inches bigger and then use the soil mix that I told you this is what I do with mine and she’s thriving for the first time in my life
That looks like quite a lovely phal! I’m not entirely sure what that brown spot is, it could be where some water was left but it should be fine because it’s not in the crown. The hole is just cosmetic damage.
I’ll actually recommend not to water on a schedule whatsoever and go by visually. So the roots will be green when hydrated and turn silver when they need water. Phal roots can photosynthesise which is why they change colour. I would suggest keeping it in its clear pot so you can tell when it needs watering. Yellow roots are fine fyi (unless they’re mushy) it’s just roots that don’t have access to light and so they don’t change colour, you may find yellow roots in the center of the plant or the whole plant if the roots don’t have access to light. Let the plant soak for a bit until the roots turn green and then drain the excess water.
A bark mix with some sprigs of moss would be great. I did have mine initially in straight bark and pumice but with my watering habits I noticed I was under watering them so I added a little bit of moss to the mix.
I think its better to repot when it’s not flowering and it might be worth letting it settle into your home before you disturb the roots.
An important note is to not let water sit in the “crown” of the plant. Between the middle leaves. If you get any water there then get a tissue and soak it up. Look up pictures of crown rot if I’m not explaining it properly.
Oh also, all of its roots don’t always have to be in the pot. It’ll grow aerial roots which you can try and tuck in to encourage it to go into pot, but it’s not super important.
I’ll actually recommend not to water on a schedule whatsoever and go by visually. So the roots will be green when hydrated and turn silver when they need water. Phal roots can photosynthesise which is why they change colour. I would suggest keeping it in its clear pot so you can tell when it needs watering. Yellow roots are fine fyi (unless they’re mushy) it’s just roots that don’t have access to light and so they don’t change colour, you may find yellow roots in the center of the plant or the whole plant if the roots don’t have access to light. Let the plant soak for a bit until the roots turn green and then drain the excess water.
A bark mix with some sprigs of moss would be great. I did have mine initially in straight bark and pumice but with my watering habits I noticed I was under watering them so I added a little bit of moss to the mix.
I think its better to repot when it’s not flowering and it might be worth letting it settle into your home before you disturb the roots.
An important note is to not let water sit in the “crown” of the plant. Between the middle leaves. If you get any water there then get a tissue and soak it up. Look up pictures of crown rot if I’m not explaining it properly.
Oh also, all of its roots don’t always have to be in the pot. It’ll grow aerial roots which you can try and tuck in to encourage it to go into pot, but it’s not super important.
@pinkmilk you’re welcome
