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Apr 23, 2015 2:37 PM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
Aimee, my website is always there below my name on the posts. I am in NE Mississippi and ship to every state except Hawaii. I ship to PR as well but not internationally.

The picture you saw is a Dtps. (Phal.) that I have had for three years. It was a "donated" orchid, given to me by a friend who said the plant was dead and if I could bring it back to life, it was mine. The flowers are on the same stem that bloomed last year. Don't cut off that old stem(s) after blooming unless the stem is brown, dry, and brittle. If it is green/purple, leave it be.

Forget the ice-cube watering method (its a gimmick and like most gimmicks, it is a worthless suggestion). Like Elaine said, if there is sphagnum moss, get rid of it and replace it with orchid media. You can find a small bag of this media (there may even be Phal. orchid media available) in your big box store's plant area. Be sure your pot has lots of drainage and even better, get an orchid pot with lots of slits/holes on the side walls. More orchids die of "drowning" than all other causes put together. Notice how there are roots that just dangle in the air above your plant. Keep those roots above your planting media. Phal. like their roots to be exposed to lots of air. Also, if you don't have one, get a good quality, pump-up mister/sprayer. Keeping tropical plants inside, with our dry air, is hard on them. By their very nature, they like high humidity. That mister, used every day or two, will help restore the conditions that tropicals thrive on. Your other indoor plants will benefit as well. Most houseplants are tropical plants.

Once you have rid your plant of the spider mites, be on the lookout for mealy bugs. I don't know why, but of all the orchids I grow (over 600 now) only the Phal./Dtps. seem to attract these small, destructive insects.
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
Last edited by drdawg Apr 24, 2015 6:13 AM Icon for preview

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