Question
I just bought 2 mini Phaleanopsis orchids at were fertilized in peat moss. I bought orchid potting soil and fertilizer. i had watch a couple movies on the internet about orchid care taking that as soon as i buy one I should take off all the ferilizer and trim the sick looking roots. One plants had only a couple bad roots due to dryness which i cut off the other half off them looked sick so I cut those ones off to while at the ends of a couple of them were black so i cut the black tip off. I threw out most of the peat moss because that was all the were in and put them in the pot getting fertilizing orchid soil in between roots making it well planted, then looking online it said peat moss was good for plants so i then put a little more peat moss on top. So my question is have I done anything wrong to my plant when i repotted them? And does it need the peat moss? also I did not fertilize the roots  because the soil is miracle grow orchid potting mix with fertilizer in it should I still use a little of the water mix fertilizer on it?

Answer
Hello Larissa,

You may have saved the orchids from a slow death by repotting them.  

Some orchid growers add a little peat moss to their orchid mixes but I don't care for it myself because it tends to break down too quickly.  You can use it if you like, just be aware that it will break down (rot) quicker than the orchid mix you bought.  

Be careful with watering as the Miracle Grow orchid mix may tend to remain wet for a while.  Wait until it is barely moist before watering again and since it contains fertilizer you don't need to add more.  The fertilizer in the mix will be good for about 3 to 6 months at which time you can start mixing a little fertilizer into the water.  One way to tell when to water if by lifting the pot, if it still feels a little heavy - wait another day or two to water.  

Hope this has helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.