Help Me Save these Young Orchids

Hi Everyone,
I recently went on an orchid rescue mission. I purchased 5 orchids from (don't worry BD...) a large, box store. They were tucked in a corner, not enought light....probably hadn't been watered in quite some time.
I've got them home now.....they are BrassavolaxCattleyxLaelia orchids.. I repotted them in some nice bark.
The roots look kind of grey, but there is new growth above. Keep your fingers crossed. Any advise on how to move these babies along?
Also, tonight my Pot. orchid (BrassavolaxCatleyxLaeliaxSophronitis) feel off the windowsill....will this stress out the plant and cause it permanent harm?
I am new to orchids and already feel like I am a failure!

I think a person right down the road from me grows orchids...but I'm too chicken to stop by and ask them. I've got to get my nerve up. They are two elderly folks...they have a greenhouse attached to the front of their house. I know I could garner lots of info.....just have to make sure I'm not imposing.

Chuck
Centerharbear

I wouldn't worry about "imposing". Most orchid growers enjoy discussing their hobby. It's usually difficult to find others who share our passion. I'd stop by and say 'hi'. Worst they could do is throw a cane at you....lol. I'm guessing they'd love the company. Stop by.
Connie

As a senior myself, I can say with confidence that they would love to share with you. Take along a plate of brownies or cookies, some seniors (like my self) can't bake anymore. Please don't think that I need to be bribed to help, but it sure wouldn't hurt.

Katie

Dear Connie and Katie,
Thanks so much for the messages...and the tips. Of all the people I've asked, most have said that they would probably love to talk with me. I never thought of the baked goods Katie, but I think it would be a nice touch! Thanks for taking the time to answer my plea!

Chuck
Centerharbear

>>Also, tonight my Pot. orchid (BrassavolaxCatleyxLaeliaxSophronitis) feel off the windowsill....will this stress out the plant and cause it permanent harm?

Hello,

Unless you live higher than 3 floors up, the orchid should be fine. Accidents like this happen all the time with orchid growers - specially in crowded benches. Orchids are tougher than they look and can withstand minor falls of a few feet. Some orchids might actually enjoy it, as it shakes loose the potting media and opens up new space for roots to grow into.
They might be bruised a bit, but no big deal. Just clean off the bruised areas and dab with cinnamon or your favorite multi-role anti-bacteria/fungal solution as a precaution.

After accidently running into the President of the Local Orchid Society yesterday, I have one suggestion. Bring a pad and pencil. As I found yesterday, you will get a tremendious amount of information in a very shory period of time. The names alone will get your head spinning. How to care for each one will never sink in. If you can, bring your orchids with you. They will probable be glad to talk to you, and tell you what speciffically you can do to make yours really happy. If it is as you say, the GH is in the front yard, it is there for a reason. If they did not want to talk about their orchids, they would have hid them.

tRUST ME ! oRCHID FOLK ARE THE NICEST IN THE WORLD! ( sorry caps lock was on!) I posted a question on the UK board and an orchid grower 30 miles away invited me down and gave me a big bag of fine bark, 4 plants and gave me a conducted tour of his greenhouses! He was only too happy to infect me with the virus! Never be afraid to ask, a true gardener/ grower will always be happy to help! Welcome to an incurable obsession! It's great! Judi

I agree. I tend to even rope "non-planty" friends into my obsessions and they have to remind me all the time, "Clint..we don't all have the same interests!"

Talking with a friend's father (who I didn't know prior to this conversation) was how I got into orchids several years ago. I went thinking maybe we'd spend 15 minutes, with him giving me a few pointers on how not to kill my new phal-- 2 HOURS later, I left the greenhouse.

Seriously -- if they have a greenhouse attached to the house for their orchids, they are seriously obsessed with the orchids and would probably be more than happy to discuss. I'd stop by some afternoon with cookies for a chat.

As for the orchid falling -- for all their floofiness and occassional finicky-ness, they really are pretty resiliant. There are those belonging to certain forum members that have survived multiple cat attacks.

Chuck - I agree with the Backbulb Gorilla about flying orchids. I'm only home on weekends and have found some who took a leap and may have been on the floor for days - but haven't lost one of them yet to a fall. (No.....didn't say I hadn't lost any, just none I could blame on a fall)