How do I care for and keep my first orchid alive? I received it for valentine's day, it came from Lowe's and it's a Moth Orchid, Phalaenopsis amabilis. I need basic orchid care please. Thank you.
My first orchid. Help!
Hi Roseone33. Phals are a good orchid to start with. They tolerate house plant conditions better than some. Mine are in an east window, so get morning sun, but not direct sunlight. Water when the medium starts to dry out. I usually water once every 5 days. I fertilize once per month, but some people use a weaker solution and fertilize every time they water. My pots sit on pebbles in their saucers for humidity. I just make sure the water doesn't get up over the top of the pebbles. Phals like fairly high humidity which is harder to provide in winter. Don't worry if the roots are out of the pot. That's normal. http://orchidweb.org/aos/index.aspx link for American Orchid Society web site. They have good info.
beclu727, Thanks for the info and the link, very helpful.