Phalaenopsis Orchid Care - Melbourne

[PocketRocket]

Hi all, 

I've had so much trouble with Phalaenopsis Orchids and their upkeep for the past year. I live in Melbourne and it's considerably colder than the more humid states such as QLD or even NSW. 

Living in such a cooler climate, I was told to remove the sphagnum moss that majority of orchids are packed in from Thailand. I replanted my orchids in Orchiata bark but since they stopped flowering after Summer 2015 (and having pruned the stems) they've stopped growing entirely (and also have gnats?!). 

I'd love to hear of any suggestions for Orchid upkeep in areas of cooler climates.

[Jason]

Here's one we've grown in Melbourne. 

Jason

[Jan1]

After having no luck in growing phalaenopsis orchids in orchid mix, I have been trying full water culture but again I am failing to grow healthy plants. I am in melbourne and would appreciate any advice to help my orchids thrive.

[Jason]

Hi @Jan1,

Many thanks for joining in the discussion. I have tagged @PocketRocket, @robchin, @Isobel and @pjensen for you and hope that they or other Workshop community members might be able to share some tips for growing orchids with you. You might like to share a few photos of your plants and tell us a bit more about their condition so that members can provide some more specific help and troubleshooting. 

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the Workshop community. I'm sure that you will find plenty of great advice and inspiration for your projects from our community members. I'm also looking forward to reading more about your projects and plans around the house and garden.

Please let me know if you ever need any assistance getting the most from the site. 

Jason

[robchin]

Hi Jan1.

Orchids are a great source of income for retailers - not only because they are beautiful and make great presents but because people have a tendancy to kill them. I'm no expert but there are a few simple tricks:

1) Don't over water them. A trick I learnt from a grower is to use the 3 ice-block trick. Once a week - place 3 ice-blocks on them. No other water required. Ice melts slowly - plants take water in

2) Not too much direct light - filtered light is best

3) Not near aircon outlets or heating ducts

4) Feed regularly with specialist Orchid food - liquid is best (read the instructions)

5) If you have to repot - use specialist Orchid mix (available from wherever you get good potting mix from)

If they flower - don't cut the flowering stem back. They may flower again if you are lucky or look after it well

Hope that helps.

PS Jason - I suspect that flower of yours is a Cymbidium orchid not a Phalaenopsis.

[Jason]

Thanks for the growing tips @robchin, I'm sure that @Jan1 appreciates the advice. 

Jason

[Jason]

Visitors to this popular discussion should also note that Bunnings has an article on How to care for orchids.

I hope you find the advice useful. Please share photos of your orchids, your growing tips and your orchid questions by replying below.

Jason

[Old-gal24]

I know this is a very old post.  But did you ever get your Orchids issues sorted?  When I started learning and researching about Phalaenopsis Orchids, because I had been given them as gifts and didn't want to just dispose of them, so I went online and researched and found a lady on utube who really knew her stuff.   THE FIRST BIG NO NO!! AND  I stress NO no! is PUTTING ICE ON THE PLANT INSTEAD OF WATER..  Not good, it freezes the roots which permanently damages them.  Putting your plant on a tray with pebbles so the plant is never sitting directly in water is the best way to water  @robchin 

So if your still having issues or have given up on Phalaenopsis Orchids. I did that many years ago @PocketRocket  then I moved houseThis one is approx 4 years old and has been flowering this time for 3 -4 monthsMy Orchids peeping out the window and took a few of my non productive Orchids with me and be bugged if they flowered.  I was in shock, but discovered where I had them prior to my move, they just didn't get anywhere enough light/sun or indirect light.  Phalaenopsis Orchids need to have a climate that drops at least 10 - 15 degrees of a night.  You can create your own environment to help them if your keen to grow them in Melbourne.  

Cheers

Old gal

[Rach23]

I got given a phal orchid earlier this year. Phal orchids and I don’t mix well as they die 🤣

This time I did something crazy and put them in a plastic bag, misted them with liquid fertiliser, and then hung them on my clothes line (they get the morning sun). It’s been a few months and miraculously it’s still alive as I see green leaves through the plastic bag.

These are now the longest phal orchids have ever survived in my house. Should I try to bring inside the house or wait until I see a flower stem before I take off the clothes line. I assume it’s getting enough water as there is condensation in the bag.

[EricL]

Hello @Rach23 

Let me tag @Old-gal24 to make them aware of your questions. Since we are heading into warmer weather, I suggest finding another spot for your orchid away from direct sunlight. Keep the bag on as this is controlling the temperature inside and creating a mini greenhouse effect. If you get cold temperatures in the evening, I strongly recommend bringing the plant inside to prevent it from getting cold.

My number one tip is to use rainwater gathered in a bucket and not mixed in with anything else. This was my grandfather's secret ingredient when taking care of orchids. He had such a large collection, and I should have really paid more attention when he was maintaining them. I also suggest leaving buckets of tap water out in direct sunlight. The UV rays will actually remove the bleach in the tap water through photodegradation. This will make it much safer to use on plants.

Let me call on our experienced members @Noelle and @mich1972 for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Noelle]

Hi @Rach23 

In Melbourne over summer, bring the phalaenopsis inside and keep it in a well-lit position (not in direct sun through glass, though). Have it in a room with a temperature where you feel comfortable - pleasant day and night and neither hot nor cold.  Keep the plant out of the direct air stream from air conditioners. Inside, you can remove its plastic bag covering but since it will enjoy humidity, place a saucer of water next to the plant pot but don't ever stand the pot directly in water.

I'm not so sure you need to worry too much about using only rain water (or water from which any fluoride/chlorine has been allowed to evaporate) since the plant has come from a commercial nursery where it has probably been on a diet of "town water" all its life. It isn't what's in the water that's important, it's more about the temperature. Tepid water (body temperature) is preferable to cold water straight from the tap.