One persons trash is .....

[PurpleLotus]

I wish one of my neighbor throw out something like that LOL

[ysnutt]

That is so beautiful!! I am very new to orchids and these forums and desperate for some advice. I also "rescued" and orchid from a man who was selling them on the street. She didn't look very healthy (ink like black spots on leaves and dry looking) she had just finished blooming, flowers were drying. I will try and post a photo. Does she need repotting? I live in a fifth floor apartment. What windowsill will she do best in? Facing south, west, or east? I get loads of sun on the fire escape, maybe that's a better place? When do I give her food? How often do you water? I have been misting her every day and watering once a week. Help! Thanks!!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

That is so beautiful!! I am very new to orchids and these forums and desperate for some advice. I also "rescued" and orchid from a man who was selling them on the street. She didn't look very healthy (ink like black spots on leaves and dry looking) she had just finished blooming, flowers were drying. I will try and post a photo. Does she need repotting? I live in a fifth floor apartment. What windowsill will she do best in? Facing south, west, or east? I get loads of sun on the fire escape, maybe that's a better place? When do I give her food? How often do you water? I have been misting her every day and watering once a week. Help! Thanks!!

I am not sure if you tried to post a photo or not, but you should. It is best to begin your own thread so that everyone will see your question too. If you have not, check out the OrchidTalk Orchid Forum home page. On the left you will see links under the "Featured Discussions" heading. There read about how to start a thread, post photos, etc... Good luck and welcome to our community.

Cheers,
BD

[Ron-NY]

These plants were grown for people to buy and enjoy the blooms and then dispose of them. The term is "pot plants" How many people continue to grow their poinsettias after the holidays or their geraniums when the summer ends?
That is why you don't see tags in the pots at most stores. There is no reason to identify it more than an orchid for it is trash bound after the blooms are done.

That said, nice rescue! It is not beneath me to dumpster diving for orchids, LOL.

ysnutt...welcome...yes a picture is worth a 1000 words. It would help us ID the genus and give you the proper advice. Different types of orchids take different culture, some shade, some sum and everywhere inbetween

[ysnutt]

Hope this works, trying to post two pictures with very little luck.
Since my first post, I picked up two more orchids. I don't know which kind, they haven't bloomed yet and I purchased them from the same person selling them on the street in my neighborhood. They were in clear plastic containers and the moss that seemed to be the mixing agent was soaked and yellow. I couldn't wait anymore and in fear of more root rot appearing I repotted them. I cleaned a pair of scissors with bleach and cut the dead roots and removed all the wet moss then proceeded to gently stuff plant with orchid mix (dry kind) and placed in a clean clay pot and lined the bottom with pebbles then mix. What did I miss? One is in a temporary pot (the one in the front), the one on the left is the orchid in question from first post (not repotted yet). I guess my questions are: 1) What kind are they? 2) after repotting, when do you water the orchid? 3)How often do you "soak" plant/fertilize? 4)do you mist leaves and air roots everyday in summer? Oh, since my last post I found that the little black spots are quite common and not a sign of disease. Thank you so much for reply.

[ysnutt]

Got it, thanks!

[clintdawley]

Most people view Phals as enjoy and toss plants. You wouldn't believe the number that make it to the trash where I work. (Granted, most of them don't have a good root left!)