QHow To Care For Your New Phalaenopsis Orchid, Tips On Keeping It Happy & Healthy

[@karengroeniger4427]

Randy, I actually had to take it out of the pot. It was packed so tightly with peat and dirt that no air could get anywhere. It has a wonderful root system though. May get bud blast but I am glad I opened her up to air. Thank you for your help.👍👍👍

[@RandyMHarris]

Think you made the right decision!!!!

[@rayleescherger4030]

@@RandyMHarris Same here)new at this type of plant!!!thanks took mine apart also..tightly squeesed together lol!!

[@atadlish]

Super helpful, I was wondering how long to soak water my plants (1 large and the other mini size) in bark medium, and now I know. Thanks Randy!❤

[@RandyMHarris]

Hello Angela, At least 15 and up to 12. Wet is wet so you can’t over water. You just don’t want to leave them in water long enough for the water to start to stale. I usually do about 15-30 minute as long as my ADD doesn’t set in and I forget.🤣🤣🤣

[@atadlish]

Thanks so much Randy! It seems way better than watering by the top, which seemed to not quite soak the roots properly, especially with the bark medium. Really appreciate your detailed responses. Have a great day!

[@RandyMHarris]

Oh gosh... glad you understood what I meant..... 🤣 What the hell is “at least 15 and up to 12” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. You must be a psychic for deciphering that. I apologize. Glad you understood.

[@cherylpenn4509]

I got orchids but the shop had overhead watering and now theyre getting crown rot....... trying....

[@risingdawn2day]

Thank for taking the time to make this post. I will try to replant the dying if not dead orchid I gifted my daughter. You make it look so easy.

[@RandyMHarris]

Dawn... it’s not only easy it’s therapeutic!!Feel free to send me a pic on Instagram. @blkorchidproject. I can look it over and tell you what shape it’s in. Thanks for stopping by!!!

[@user-oc1ux5uy2q]

Great information, thank you! In April 2020, I had re-potted all of my orchids from the original orchid wood medium to the organic expanded clay pebbles due to problems with gnats. The problem was solved! All of the orchid survived the transplanting, and trimming of the dead roots. I am now struggling with how much to water them? Currently watering once a week, running water through & not soaking. Some of the old leaves are rubbery & wrinkled. All the new leaves are dark green and healthy. Will continue watching your video!

[@RandyMHarris]

Eve, I've never tried the LECA. I hear there is an acclimation period. As far as watering can you see the roots?

[@user-oc1ux5uy2q]

@@RandyMHarris Hello Randy, I wish I could attach some pictures of the orchids. Roots are looking great, but I believe the orchids are dehydrated. The leaves are showing the wrinkled look! I love the Leca clay pebbles, great improvement from the wood bark medium. All the best!

[@Honeybear2448]

I have tryed so many ways to get a keiki, I have lots of phalaenopsis that I have rescued with lots of success. I want a keiki tryed lots of time just nothing I've tryed works. Out of 30 orchids I've rescued, I only lost 3 and most of them looked hopeless. It's so much joy in seeing one spring back. I also grow the rarest succlents that I can find, and I do lots of propagation. I just want a keiki. Help me please.

[@944gemma]

Good info. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@RandyMHarris]

Glad it was helpful!

[@claresmyth9645]

Awesome info, thanks!!

[@RandyMHarris]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sandytessier7441]

My plant is tall & leaning. Should I put a stake in the pot to make it grow more upright?

[@RandyMHarris]

You can, but the only real way to fix it is to repot.

[@sandytessier7441]

@@RandyMHarris Thx

[@jotownsend8412]

I use pots without holes, but when I water my orchids I take them out, soak the roots thoroughly, and then let them drain on a towel until they're just barely damp before I return them to the pots. That's what I was told to do at the nursery when I got them. Is this bad?

[@RandyMHarris]

No not at all!!! But what kind of medium are they planted in???

[@jotownsend8412]

@@RandyMHarris They have a loose layer of sphagnum closest to the roots and then the Miracle Grow orchid bark mix over the top and filling in any gaps around the edges. Thanks for responding! :)

[@RandyMHarris]

@@jotownsend8412 Sounds like your doing it right. Just keep an eye out to make sure the moss isn't staying too wet.

[@kathleenbrownell4228]

As a gift I got a pot that had 2 4” plastic pots of Phalaenopis each with 2 stems with blooms (in January). After the blooms died 1 stem in each pot died all the way back so I cut it off at the bottom. The other stems died partway back and I cut each one several inches down above a “notch”. I noticed in July one stem started growing and I got a 2nd blooming. The other grew a new plant I heard was called a keiki. Is it best for that to grow several roots and then cut it off and plant it? It now has 1 root about 2” long with another developing. Thanks for your help.

[@RandyMHarris]

Hello Kathleen, Thank you for watching and following. That's awesome... Yes let it grow a few roots to support itself before cutting it off. Be sure to mist them often to make sure they stay hydrated.

[@sweater36]

Hi, I wish I came across your video sooner.. I received an orchid as a gift in a nice decorative pot, exactly as you described, I saw that the flowers and buds started to wilt, so my instinct was to water it. After I watched your video, I took it out from its decorative pot, the plant itself is planted in moss in a clear container (with drainage), but inside, it's completely soaked. Should I do anything with it if the roots are now sitting in seems like too much of moist? Thanks so much!

[@RandyMHarris]

I would take it out the decor planter and just let it sit out so it can breath and dry out for a few days. Set the clear pot on some quarters or something so that air can flow through the pot. If that's fuzzy. DM me on Instagram and I will explain.

[@christinenorton2510]

Do you cut spikes of species phalls the same way. They look different to me.

[@RandyMHarris]

I do... Some people cut above the first node. If you want to see if it will put out more flowers or a Keiki (new plant) you cut above the 4th node.

[@pattymarshall8029]

Do you cut the spikes after they have bloomed and died?

[@RandyMHarris]

Yes I do. I cut down to the crown as soon as blooms fall. Some cut down just above the first node and I’ve heard recently some just leave it. Until it dies off.

[@BunnyBearBaby]

Hello Randy, I got one orchidee that is 4 years old now and one a got as a present 2 weaks ago. So I am glad I found your channel. I am from the Netherlands so I dont understatement everything you use for the orchideeën. The older one stopped growing new stems... I dont really yet get what to do😊. So I keep watching more. Greetings and lots of thank you, Veronique

[@RandyMHarris]

Hello Veronique, hopefully you will pick up enough to get your plant blooming. Thanks for watching. FYI I have moved my orchid content to a new channel The Black Orchid Project kzbin.info/door/0Vek_K6UlhF5eyJlhOCHlQ If you would like to follow along.

[@roxannhatfield6874]

I have 2 orchids. One has lost mot of it leaves but it is in full bloom right now. I think I over watered it. Should I wait until the flowers drop to replant or just leave it alone?

[@RandyMHarris]

Hey Roxann, Can you see the roots. how do they look?

[@roxannhatfield6874]

@@RandyMHarris some look good and some look meh...

[@karengroeniger4427]

Randy, my husband brought home a new Orchid. I can see the roots and they look good. It is however planted in DIRT AND TIGHTLY PACKED. also it is in bloom and has many buds to come. Should I remove the dirt and report it in a good bark medium which I have on hand. Afraid it will bud blast. Should I leave it alone and just watch the watering?

[@RandyMHarris]

Oh wow that’s a hard one: Are you sure it’s soil? If it is I would personally try to dump out as much as possible without removing it from the pot rinse it gently and works some small bark into the pot. If it’s indeed soil I believe it will smother the roots before this blooms fall.

[@kathleenbrownell4228]

I have a Miracle Grow Orchid Plant Food Mist that you spray on the LEAVES only, once a week. It is described as 02-02-02. Is that sufficient, enough nitrogen. Is there another orchid fertilizer you recommend. I have only 3 indoor orchids so price isn’t a big deal. I also have 8 Cymbidiums outside. Can I use this on them or get something totally different? Thanks yet again.

[@RandyMHarris]

That's a pretty weak solution. I would use it more for a little maintenance mist. I definitely suggest getting a food that feeds threw the root system. I can't comment on the Cymbidiums, I know nothing about them and don't feel comfortable give maintenance suggestions on plants I don't personally grow . I would guess it would be the same however.

[@kimhollingsworth3159]

Hello, I now have 2 orchids, 1 adopted with many growing green leaves and another gifted, just repotted and still 1 surviving leaf. My question is, how do we get the orchids to rebloom and how long does it take for new blooms? Thank you in advance!

[@RandyMHarris]

Hey Kim, Sorry for the delay, Just keep taking care of it. Keep it by and window. They usually bloom once a year. The fluctuation of temps by the window will usually induce blooming.

[@miss30427]

I'm incredibly excited to be a subscriber to your channel. I need more ideas about keeping or leaves and roots properly moisturized without drowning them.

[@RandyMHarris]

Excited to have you!! If your plants are in the right medium and the water drains well you can't drown them... You just want to make sure they don't say wet consistently. Let them soak in water about 3/4 way up the pot for 10-15 minuets them let it drain well. Good luck... FYI I have moved my orchid content to a new channel The Black Orchid Project kzbin.info/door/0Vek_K6UlhF5eyJlhOCHlQ If you would like to follow along.

[@chrystastuckless]

Hi, I don't have Instagram but I have a phal that is in crisis, I think. It has dark green leaves but they are very thin and droopy and I can see/feel lines on the leaves so I think its in trouble. What should I do? Also. I'm about to get a new one and I'm worried about messing that up too.

[@RandyMHarris]

Sounds dehydrated, be sure you’re watering well. There are a few new orchid videos available on the channel. Be sure to check those out.

[@nadrazaruor2225]

اين الترجمه

[@LBoyer-ru1pp]

New here. Do you cut the spikes after blooming?

[@RandyMHarris]

Yes, I cut mine all the way down. Some cut theirs just past the first nod. Be sure to dip your clippers in alcohol. Thanks for stopping by.

[@ruthjoubert508]

Really good video. Thanks! I may keep this new one alive (LOL).

[@RandyMHarris]

Ruth, Glad you liked it! Don't over care for it... LOL FYI I have moved my orchid content to a new channel The Black Orchid Project kzbin.info/door/0Vek_K6UlhF5eyJlhOCHlQ If you would like to follow along.

[@marianpiispanen5618]

Really good informative videos. Are you on facebook as well?

[@RandyMHarris]

No, I'm doing Instagram but haven't started a FB group yet. Seems to be a dying platform. FYI I have moved my orchid content to a new channel The Black Orchid Project kzbin.info/door/0Vek_K6UlhF5eyJlhOCHlQ If you would like to follow along.