Need help with phalaenopsis orchid!

[Ashley]

My boyfriend got me a phalaenopsis orchid for my birthday and it looks beautiful. All the other buds have flowered but now the older flowers are starting to wilt and I am wondering where to cut it. Also when looking at the bottom of the plant, some roots are coming through. I have no green thumb and am at a loss of what to do. I need some direction. If anyone can help, I would be willing to meet up somewhere in the junction and buy you some coffee. Thanks for reading!

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[Jill]

Hi Ashley,

Roots coming through on the bottom is totally fine. They like to have their roots out to get air. Just make sure they are never submerged in water. This might be tricky, because the “soil” should just be something like bark. Very loose so that when you water, it goes right through. So you just have to make sure that you pour the extra water out right away. Having said all that, you do need to make sure you mist the roots every day (or at least pretty regularly).

I don’t want to say without seeing it where to cut it back, but actually I have better advice than to have me look at it. Call Swansons nursery and ask for Candy (yep, srsly). Their number is 782-2543. I used to work there, and I observed her many a time authoritatively instruct a new orchid owner. She is very passionate about orchids and will happily answer your questions, regardless of where yours came from. I’m sure that there’s someone on staff at WS Nursery, too, who could help. I just haven’t worked there, so I’m not as familiar with their staff. :) Hope that helps, good luck!

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