Hello everybody:

Last month I purchased an Encyclia cordigera and a Maxillaria tenuifolia at a big box store. Both are beat up (but that's okay- recovery helps me learn "orchidology"...) and fairly small plants. They were both in moss and fairly wretched so I repotted them in fresh moss and removed dead roots, etc. Presently they both are showing new growth.

I've read that both orchids require frequent watering, but, just how frequent? I grow at a windowsill and watering in this environment can be tricky sometimes. Some online sources state to keep them both almost drenched but that seems extreme to me. Should I leave them in moss or should I use a grade of bark? Any guidance would be appreciated with these two little treasures.

My home has low humidity (I use trays), I'm in the midwest U.S.A and my orchids sit at an east window. Not a perfect environment for orchids, but I try to keep my collection limited to orchids that will grow in this type of world.


Cheers and Blessings
CatzOrKidz