BLOOM'S GARDEN TIPS: [ORCHID CARE]

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Below are questions that I have been asked time and time again from friends, family, and clients alike.

1)Choosing the BEST/healthiest Phalaenopsis?
What physical characteristics on an orchid should people be looking for when shopping for a nice healthy phal (e.g. leaves? roots? is potting medium important? - some companies sell them in mostly wood chips, while others use sphagnum moss as media).

2) Ice Cube Watering Method? What is your take on the practicality of watering orchids this way? to tell you the truth I have tried myself, and its not always functional... sometimes the buds have even fallen when I have used this method.

3) Proper Watering? So some experts say misting with a spray bottle while others just water with a simple watering can. Which would you suggest is a preferred method? And, is it okay to give the orchid a few mist sprays down the entire plant from flower stalk to soil? Does have a watertight tray with a gravel base to put the orchids on top of help?

4) Besides Phalaenopsis... Could you suggest two (2) other orchid varieties that people have had success with maintaining/growing? Any newer varieties that prove to be fairly hardy as in-home plants? (i.e. lady slipper?, etc.)

5) Companion plants? While orchids are beautiful displayed just by themselves, based on your experience... could you recommend some companion plants does well with them in an arrangement/grouping (i.e. Bromeliads, etc.)

1) Choosing the BEST/healthiest Phalaenopsis? What physical characteristics on an orchid should people be looking for when shopping for a nice healthy phal (e.g. leaves? roots? is potting medium important? - some companies sell them in mostly wood chips, while others use sphagnum moss as media). 
-- LEAVES (LEAF SPOTS? Avoid them at all cause, done pick anything with signs of these)
-- ROOTS (FIBEROUS OR NONE?)
-- TYPE OF MEDIA for SOIL – bark is better for people that over water, bark is much for forgiving.
Peat moss holds water better and ideal for people whom don’t water as frequently
-- Flower Stalk (protecting during transport to prevent bud loss)

2) Ice Cube Watering Method? What is your take on the practicality of watering orchids this way? to tell you the truth I have tried myself, and its not always functional... sometimes the buds have even fallen when I have used this method.-- The ice cube method was invented so people wouldn't over water in a container. If you are planning on growing the plant for years, it's going to need some fertilizer, which is hard to do with ice cubes.

3) Proper Watering? So some experts say misting with a spray bottle while others just water with a simple watering can. Which would you suggest is a preferred method? And, is it okay to give the orchid a few mist sprays down the entire plant from flower stalk to soil? Does have a watertight tray with a gravel base to put the orchids on top of help?
-- MISTING is more trouble than useful (good only to get more roots)-- HUMIDITY TRAY w/ Gravel  is best
-- Water with a hose or watering can (let WATER RUN through) flushes salts/chemicals

4) Besides Phalaenopsis... Could you suggest two (2) other orchid varieties that people have had success with maintaining/growing? Any newer varieties that prove to be fairly hardy as in-home plants? (i.e. lady slipper?, etc.)
-- LOW LIGHT Phal (slipper orchids) & oncidiums , phalaenopsis
-- BRIGHT LIGHT à Cattleyas.

5) Looking for Companion plants that do well with orchids? While orchids are beautiful displayed just by themselves, based on your experience... could you recommend some companion plants does well with them in an arrangement/grouping (i.e. Bromeliads, etc.) When we do arrangements, we usually keep the pots separate and just lay Spanish moss over them then separate the later and water them as individual plants. By doing it that way, you can use any plant you want. We usually use different kinds of ferns. We've used bromeliads and begonias too.

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