Lovely! I might become an orchid mum too. When I helped them move my friend gave me what we suspect might be a phalaenopsis in a very sorry state. Not her fault at all; it's been a "posh" gift to her late mother-in-law she rescued after her death, already in the rather dried-up and bud-less state it's now. It's been in a totally wrong kind of pot with cinnamon sticks and gold-painted whatnots stuck in the unfitting soil, gold-painted pellets and other plastic stuff in-between. It hasn't been cared well for after it was gifted and just been kept as the late MIL couldn't throw things away. My friend didn't have the leisure to do anything about it either nor has any idea about orchids, but at least watered it suitably. We've now repotted it in a proper orchid pot fit for dipping and are trying to find a good spot in our house; currently it's sharing the plant lights of my paprika nursery. I wonder how soon we should give it some fertilizer, too, as it's just got new soil. If you have any tips for me I'd be most grateful! I'm using plant lights for the first time, also without knowing yet what settins would be best for the paprika seedlings (the last weeks have been so hectic I didn't manage to do more than just sow/prick them and put them on a warming mat and under the light), but so far those who sprouted are doing really well.
Orchids are actually much easier than people generally think!
Most phals prefer indirect light, so a north-facing windowsill will do as long as it's not too chilly. Do NOT put it in a spot with lots of direct sun, phals can sunburn. (If you have plant lights, those are fine and will not cause sunburn.) Not sure what you've potted it in, but phals are pretty happy in sphagnum or bark mixes. Water when the roots no longer have a green tint to them, and get the water to the roots, not the leaves. Don't use ice cubes or freezing cold water - remember these are tropical/semi-tropical plants. Be careful not to over-water, and try not to get water into the bit between the leaves - that's a good way to develop rot/mold/other issues. I've never actually used fertilizer or feeds, but this orchid grower who definitely know what they're doing have recommendations on that score. (Don't fuss about humidity, the plant will be fine as long as it's watered sufficiently.)
Reflowering an orchid can occasionally be tricky, but phals are usually pretty easy - if you have a happy phal, odds are it will flower.
As far as the grow light for seedlings, I don't know what settings are available on your lamp, the ones I have generally only have one light setting, it's the height you have to watch out for - if the lamp is too high above them, the seedlings will get really leggy trying to reach up to the light. If there's any sign of that happening, either get the seedlings up higher or the lamp down lower.
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Date: 2023-04-16 07:27 pm (UTC)I'm using plant lights for the first time, also without knowing yet what settins would be best for the paprika seedlings (the last weeks have been so hectic I didn't manage to do more than just sow/prick them and put them on a warming mat and under the light), but so far those who sprouted are doing really well.
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Date: 2023-04-16 07:59 pm (UTC)Most phals prefer indirect light, so a north-facing windowsill will do as long as it's not too chilly. Do NOT put it in a spot with lots of direct sun, phals can sunburn. (If you have plant lights, those are fine and will not cause sunburn.) Not sure what you've potted it in, but phals are pretty happy in sphagnum or bark mixes. Water when the roots no longer have a green tint to them, and get the water to the roots, not the leaves. Don't use ice cubes or freezing cold water - remember these are tropical/semi-tropical plants. Be careful not to over-water, and try not to get water into the bit between the leaves - that's a good way to develop rot/mold/other issues. I've never actually used fertilizer or feeds, but this orchid grower who definitely know what they're doing have recommendations on that score. (Don't fuss about humidity, the plant will be fine as long as it's watered sufficiently.)
Reflowering an orchid can occasionally be tricky, but phals are usually pretty easy - if you have a happy phal, odds are it will flower.
As far as the grow light for seedlings, I don't know what settings are available on your lamp, the ones I have generally only have one light setting, it's the height you have to watch out for - if the lamp is too high above them, the seedlings will get really leggy trying to reach up to the light. If there's any sign of that happening, either get the seedlings up higher or the lamp down lower.