| Thank you for the help. Here are a few more details on the orchid:
It's in a pot with a tray underneath. It has fairly big bark. The pot rests on pebbles in the tray because I read that you could put water in the tray underneath to help with simulated "humidity" as long as the roots aren't soaking in the water.
I water the orchid once a week, per the directions that came with it. I used to water it with a "bloom booster" (11-35-15) once a month, but when it started looking bad I stopped since I wasn't sure what was wrong with it and blooming was the least of my worries.
I moved to a 3rd floor NY apartment 2 months ago and I don't think it's getting the recommended 4 hrs. minimum of direct light, so I'm taking it to stay in a sunny bay window in Philly next week.
I lost another bottom leaf yesterday and the one across from it is partially off the stem, as well. I checked for mealy worms using alcohol and a q-tips as suggested, and I also checked it against pictures on the internet of orchids with mealy worms and I'm pretty sure that is not the cause of the white residue. I don't have hard water, either. What is the best way for removing the orchid from its pot to check out the roots without damaging them? I've included three pictures--one of the orchid (the bare stem at the bottom is where I'm losing leaves) and two of the fallen leaf (top and bottom). It's a pretty sad sight. |