holes in orchid stem water

[cbstew22]

Hi there!!
I am really really new to this orchid thing. I find it very interesting though. All but one of my phals have lost there blooms. Just got startted w/this hobby about a month ago, when I first joined. I have cut back all of the stems, as suggested by one of my sources, as bloomes depleted. I even had to transplant 3 of them (one of which is still bloomimg) in MIRACLE-GROW potting mix, in orchid pots. One of them has a hollow stem which is purple in color- the stem- not sure if that was a purple orchid or not (can't remember). What do I do about the purple hollow stem??

Tho other question I have is about water. I feel as though I am underwatering them. The pots feel very light to me.

Please help!
Thanks
Cindy

[Dazed]

Don't think I've greeted you yet, so The best chance for an accurate answer is to post a picture and let everyone know where you are, because climate and the location you keep your orchids matters a lot. Hope you get the help you need soon.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi Cindy,

We have many articles in the forum Orchid Library about growing and caring for Phal orchids. Maybe you will find some information here to help: http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchid...laenopsis.html

Cheers,
BD

[mootattoo1]

Miracle grow orchid mix? Orchids DO NOT belong in regular mix, their roots will rot in no time.

[espranch]

DITTO! And, Welcome to the Orchid Talk forum! Betty

Miracle grow orchid mix? Orchids DO NOT belong in regular mix, their roots will rot in no time.

[cbstew22]

I live in Virginia, near the coast, it is a small river town. My babies are in front of a window with a sheer curtian and blinds. The blinds are kept down but open. The window is facing east. It gets good sunlight, and plenty of fresh air circulation...I keep the windows up unless its really hot outside, also there is a ceiling fan that circulates the air.

Everyone keeps telling me not to use regular potting mix--I'm not, I know it rots the roots! I am using orchid potting mix. The brand is MIRACLE GROW. I bought it from a nursery, after talking to a man about orchids. So If I can't use that what do I use? They all seem to be doing fine, except no blooms yet on the three, but the leaves are perky and one of them has a new leaf, and the one that had flowers still does YEA! The one with the hollow stem even has perky green leaves...the stem is soft, so should I cut it all the way back?

I will google about my hollow stem.

Cindy

[espranch]

Welcome to Orchid Talk, Cindy. Did you know that the orchid media must be soaked overnight, before re-potting? This is so that the media can retain SOME moisture...Betty

[cbstew22]

Thanks for the tip, but, they have been repotted about 3-4 weeks. All of them are ok, I guess, I just cut the stem all they back on the one w/the hole in the stem..it was mushy to...the leaves are nice and green and perky. My problem is knowing how much and when to water. One of my sources said water when the roots look silvery in color, but how much do I water, I also need to feed them, but I only have one that is still blooming. I think one of them needs to have the roots cut back, they are all brown and flat. Thanks for the help!

[espranch]

I only have two phaleanopsis, and both of them are mounted. All of my orchids get watered once a week with tepid water. During the growth period ( which we're in now ) As far as fertilizer goes, different people use different ones. I believe that Bruce gave you a link to go to for info on this...at the top of this page. Good luck...Sounds like you're doing just fine. Betty

[Dazed]

I think so far no one has answered Cb's question about the hollow stem, which seems to be the reason for her posting, I would like to see an answer myself since the whole spike thing still baffles me.