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Old 13-11-2008, 04:00 AM posted to rec.gardens.orchids
Steve[_2_] Steve[_2_] is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 357
Default newbie phal questions

The first order of business is always to NOT kill it. :-)
Don't make the common beginner mistake and take such "good" care of it
that you never let it get a little dry. If you keep adding water at the
first sign of drying out, the roots will eventually rot off and you'll
have a hard time saving it.
Also don't take extra "good" care of it and move it to a bigger pot. If
the pot is too big, it takes forever to dry out and, again, the result
will be dead roots. (If you over compensate and keep it too dry, it will
grow poorly but it isn't likely to die.)
About the dropping buds... it's common for them to drop buds when the
conditions change suddenly. Your plant probably went from a greenhouse
to a store then to your house. Grow it well and when it blooms the next
time, the flowers will all open and last for months. They don't need
high light as some orchids do but people sometimes take that to mean
very dim light, as some house plants can survive in. Again, that won't
kill it but it won't flower either.

Steve


fab. wrote:
hi,
i am new to the hobby and got my first phal in early september.
since then all the buds have dropped off and now the remaining flowers are
starting to wilt and fall. but in the meantime it has grown in height and
leaves have grown bigger.
is there a problem with the way i am caring for it?

also, can someone recommend me a good comprehensive website or guide i can
refer to?

thanks
fab