Calwest Orchid Supplies

Orchid care?

I’ve had an orchid for about one year now. It was my first orchid and I have managed to keep it alive, but it never rebloomed and just recently it’s stem and many of it’s full sized leaves have died off. I know now that I should have taken it out of the moss it was packed in and repotted it then, but I was orchid ignorant. Anyhow, I just bought the most beautiful Dendrobium orchid with a green flower and burgandy wine center. I would very much like to keep this one healthy. I’ve already repotted it with an orchid mixture containing bark, charcoal, and perlite in terra cotta pot. My question is: Exactly how often do you water an Orchid and when do you fertilize it? I’ve look it all up, but I get conflicting answers.
Also, my poor little sad orchid that I almost killed still has two remaining green leaves but the roots are bad. I trimmed the roots and repotted it in the orchid mix. Do you think it can make a come back? I’d appreciate any feed back.

water when bark feels almost dry. better not to over-water!
take it to the sink and soak the pot till it’s thoroughly moistened.
try to avoid getting water on the leaves.
buy orchid food and follow the instructions, but generally feed once a month.
as they say, practice makes perfect so keep trying!

Dramm 12353 Heavy-Duty Brass Shut-Off Valve $15.88 Fingertip water control at your garden hose end. Large ergonomic handle makes iteasy for anyone to turn water “on” and “off”–even with wet hands….

Orchid Moisture Meter MOMET(TM) Potting Substrate and Soil Moisture Tester for Plants $29.99 JERMIC LLC has created the worlds first and only electronic moisture meter designed for Orchids and other potted plants. It is called MOMETTM. MOMETTM determines electronically the moisture in soil, be it bark, moss, or dirt. The unit can be used with any house plant, garden flowers or outside plants. MOMETTM assist in the watering, care, and healthful growing of all plants, whether inside or out…

Dramm 12346 400PL Plastic Water Breaker Nozzle $4.50 For hand watering in greenhouses, nurseries, yards. The original full-flow shower head nozzle used by professional growers worldwide. Molded of unbreakable cycolac plastic….