brooklynorchids | Brooklyn Orchids

How to Water a Phalaenopsis Orchid

March 12, 2010 28 Comments

NOTE: I recommend reading my updated post about how to water orchids.

Phalaenopsis orchids are the most readily available orchids and tend to be an orchid newbie’s first; however, many of these beauties don’t come with instructions. Proper watering is key to maintaining a healthy and happy orchid plant, so I’m here to offer up some advice on how to water a Phalaenopsis orchid.

First, let me explain the issues with improper watering. When an orchid is over-watered its roots will rot, which prevents the orchid from absorbing water and nutrients; as a result, the plant will die a lot sooner than you’d like. Conversely, under-watering dehydrates the plant and slows its growth, meaning the plant won’t offer up as many of those beautiful blooms. And the blooms are why we buy orchids, right?!

My Orchid Garden

Spring Has Sprung; My Hausermann Orchids Have Shipped

March 10, 2010 1 Comment

Yes!! A sign that spring is on the horizon: I just received an email notification that my o rchids from Orchids by Hausermann have shipped!

I wrote Hausermann’s customer service a few weeks ago to find out when they might ship my orchids. With all the crappy cold weather and snow we’ve had, they said it wasn’t warm enough for them to safely ship my plants. Yet another reason to hate winter.

But now the plants are on their way and I’m excited! I’ll post all about my new orchids as soon as they arrive. I hope they make it to Brooklyn ok—this is my first experience with an online orchid order.

Events, New York Botanical Garden, Orchid Shows

Orchid Show, I’m coming for you!

March 10, 2010 1 Comment

Guess who just bought her ticket* for the New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show? Yep, that would be me…awwww yeah!

As I mentioned awhile back, the show opened on February 27. Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to go yet, but this Saturday I’m all over it!

Last year’s Orchid Show at the NYBG is what really spurred this passion of mine and I’m so excited to go back to where it all started for me.

The temperature is supposed to be 49 degrees and rainy this Saturday, but you know what? I don’t care. It was a gray, rainy day when I attended last year but the crap weather made the indoor show that much lovelier. Note to self: make sure you FULLY charge your camera battery before you go this year so that you can capture as much as possible!

*Adult admission is $20, but there is an additional $3 processing fee for printable tickets (they email you a PDF). If you want to pick up your ticket at will call, you have to pay a $6 processing fee! What?! Guess which option I went for. 🙂

Orchid Farms

Manhattan’s Garden District is Orchid Mecca

March 10, 2010 2 Comments

Paradise Plants White Phal — Photo credit: paradiseplantsny.com

I didn’t even know that Manhattan had a Garden District until a fellow orchid-loving friend recently enlightened me. Yesterday morning I found myself in midtown Manhattan for a doctor’s appointment and decided that I would check out the Garden District afterward, as it was nearby. And behold, I found a whole slew of garden shops on W. 28th St. between 6th and 7th Aves – some of which almost exclusively sell orchids! Holy moly, was I in heaven!!

How-To, Orchid Beginner Tips

New Orchids: To Repot or Not? That is the Question

March 2, 2010 5 Comments

Most orchid nerds will tell you that you should repot any brand new orchid almost as soon as you bring it home. This is recommended so that you can take a good look at the orchid’s root system and cut away any rotten roots (see my post on identifying healthy vs. unhealthy roots). Conversely, you may find a really nice set of roots like these:

Healthy Phalaenopsis orchid roots — Photo credit: velvetdahlia, Flickr

You may have also heard not to repot an orchid while it’s in bloom. So, what exactly are you supposed to do with these two conflicting pieces of advice when you bring home a new orchid that is in bloom, like my latest orchid purchase?

My Orchid Garden

Great Ikea Find: Lady Slipper Orchid

March 1, 2010 1 Comment

Along with the month of March came a lovely day in Brooklyn: sunny with temperatures in the 40s (as I type this my weather widget says it’s 49 degrees)! I’ve been hibernating in my apartment a lot because of all the shitty weather we’ve been having—February 2010 broke the record for snowiest month ever in NYC. Ugh, all this white stuff is not for me. So when I got up this morning and realized how nice it was outside, I decided to take a long stroll—something I haven’t done in awhile.