Phalaenopsis Gift

[gardenguysorchids]

Friends gave me this NOID as a belated Christmas gift. They knew I was going to be on vacation and was worrying about how my orchids would survive without water for 11 days. They didn't want to add to my worrying so gave this to me when I got home. I love the color and best part there is another spike developing so this baby should be blooming for months. I love the color which is a little deeper yellow than the photo. Just wanted to share it with you. PS My 100 plus orchids survived quite well without me!

[Lizgeo]

What a nice friend! I like the color too.

[orcoholic]

Bill,

I'm pretty sure this is Taida Golden Fortune.

[gardenguysorchids]

Thanks for the ID Michael. I really appreciate it!

[Joyday]

Yes, beautiful color, I like it too. Those with purple lip are prettier than all yellow ones, for me at least!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

What a great gift. Very nice. And glad your orchids made it!!

Cheers,
BD

[Suzanne]

Your gift-orchid is lovely! I have to ask: did you make any special preparations before you left your "babies" for 11 days (heat turned down, or left as usual? cut back on fertilizing prior to departure?) Looking for any helpful advice to get ready for my own trip out-of town!

[gardenguysorchids]

Hi, all I did was a lot of praying! LOL It was 10 degrees when we left. I grow in my basement which stays cool. My temps range 50 to 60 in winter. I broke down and bought a small heater for my grow area. I run it 6 hours a day when temps drop below 25 outside. That seems to keep the area in the high 50's to low 60's. I watered all my orchids twice the week prior to leaving. The last watering was heavy. We had a house/pet sitter while we were away but I didn't want to add the orchids as part of her responsibility and really didn't have the time to show here how to water. All I had her do was turn the heater on in the mornings for the 6 hours. Upon our return the orchids were fine and some oncids started to spike in my absence. Some in my collection were very dry. I watered them immediately. The next day i watered all heavily and they are fine. We were away for 11 days and I feel that two weeks would be about the longest I could leave in the winter. Hope this helps you and have a great trip!

[Suzanne]

Thanks for the info -- that is very helpful!

[rwf]

What friends to give you something wonderful and not an ugly sweeter...if only all could think in these directions...what a beautiful flower...I'm very new to the orchid world and was away for 2-1/2 weeks...I think my sister watered everything some?, but the orchids I do have were just fine when I got back...and I leave my house at 70` all winter....pppphew...I think their excited I'm back, their growing like crazy.