Purple moth orchid - help!

9 Jan '06 6:43 am

My brother gave me this beautiful purple orchid in the summer as a thankyou present for doing the flowers at his wedding. It's my first orchid and I'm amazed by how long lasting their flowers are. Only one bloom has dropped in 4 months - I was beginning to wonder if it's real Smile

I'm concerned that its roots are growing right out of the pot, but I'm not sure how to plant it on because at the moment it only seems to be growing in bark. Can anyone give me any tips on how / when to plant it into a bigger container, and generally how to care for it? I've always thought of orchids as delicate flowers so I'm too scared to do anything but water it every couple of days.

I don't know what type it is - perhaps a purple moth orchid. Any orchid-lovers out there with experience to share?

9 Jan '06 8:45 am

This is amazing!

Having no idea of Orchids, and sharing totally your feelings about these magnificent creatures, I ran to my huge book. No! Very cold, very general and formal, couldn't be of any help. Then, I ran for help to my everlasting angel-helper : "The House Plant Expert" . And here, yes! I found something... I'll copy for you anything it would be of practical help, O.K.

" PHALAENOPSIS:
( meaning, "having the look of a whale" - in Greek!): or, Moth Orchid ( The Orchid in the picture of the book is white, with exactly the same flower details).
1-Very popular, needs steady temperature and high humidity. It can stay in flower almost all year round. It has no resting period, so keep compost moist at all times.
2-House plant Orchids cannot tolerate hot and stuffy conditions, so good ventilation is required even in winter - don't be afraid to stand the pot otdoors in sunny, warm days, avoiding the cold draughts , which can be fatal.
3-Repotting : Do not worry if a few roots grow outside the pot. Repot only when growth begins to suffer. Orchids appreciate being pot bound. After a few years , repotting and division may be necessary. You will require a special Orchid Compost.
4-Propagation: Divide plants at repotting time. Leave at least 3 shoots at each division. Stake each potted plant."

And this is the best information I could give you , my friend, from my book, concerning your specific Orchid.

Good luck, because she is really soooo beautiful!

11 Jan '06 10:32 am

All great advice, thanks Liza. Sounds like I'm not as mean to my orchid as I thought Smile

I love the name in Greek - it does kind of look like a whale, a very elegant whale...

Purple moth orchid - help!

Purple moth orchid - help!

Oh! An Orchid problem!

Orchid advice