My husband I were shopping yesterday and we ended up in Walmart. We didn’t know before going to the closest store that it was closing down. Apparently a new Superstore Walmart will be opening a few blocks up the street from the current store on Wednesday.
Anyway, we got some great deals since they were marking down a number of products that they didn’t want to have to move.
As we went to the cash to pay for our items I noticed an area that had a number of potted flowering bulbs. They were all daffodils and they were flowering already so I didn’t feel that they were worth buying. Then, in the corner of that display I noticed a lone Orchid. I decided to check out the price and I was told it was only $5 so I got it. What a great deal!
The orchid was flowering, and has 6 flowers right now. The blooms are a delicate light mauvey pink. It’s a Phalaenopsis. The Phalaenopsis seems to be the most commonly sold Orchid and in general they are fairly easy to care for.
I already have two Phalaenopsis, and one other type of Orchid. Unfortunately I can’t remember what the name of the other Orchid is, but it has spiky leaves that are somewhat like thick grass.
My only concern with this Orchid is that it doesn’t have any leaves. I looked at it’s roots and it has a well developed root system and the roots look healthy. I’m hoping with some care that the Orchid will begin to grow leaves again and do well. At least it wasn’t too expensive.
One of my other Phalaenopsis is a baby of another one and it’s doing great. I’ve noticed that it’s leaves have really grown quite a bit in the last month. I’m hoping that the baby will bloom this year. It’s about two years old.
If you are thinking about getting an Orchid start with Phalaenopsis. They are the easiest to care for. Basic care instructions are:
Temperature – This species of Orchid does well at room temperatures between 60 F to 85 F. They do not tolerate cool temperatures at all.
Lighting- Partial sun, avoid direct sunlight. Place near an east facing window if possible.
Watering- Orchids like to have slightly moist substrate but they don’t like being wet, and they don’t like drying out. Watering about once a week should be sufficient.
Feeding- Orchids don’t need to be fertilized often. When I do fertilize I use one that is high in nitrogen but I weaken the strength of the mix by half. Do not fertilize any more than once a month.
Care – after the Orchid has flowered, you can cut the flower spike down to two inches.
Blooming- Phalaenopsis bloom at least once year, but sometimes bloom two to three times. I’ve found that each flower lasts two or more weeks, and the flowers don’t come out all at once. You can often get a month and a half to two months of blooms at a time.
