Hello,
I received my first orchid, a phalaenopis, as a gift in February. It started out well. I was careful not to overwater it and kept it in adequate indirect light. Unfortunately, I do not think I was able to meet the temperature requirements. The card it came with gave an optimal temperature range of 65–78 degrees. I do not have a lot of control over the temperature in my apartment, and although I kept my electric heater running, I was only able to maintain a temperature around 60. At times, the temperature dropped to as low as 58. The flowers the plant arrived with stayed ok for a while, but eventually dried up and all new buds dried up before they opened. I do not think it was due to under watering because I did test the soil daily. The leaves and stems are still a lush green color and the roots are firm. I cut one stem back to the node before the last blooming flower, the other stem I have not touched yet, out of fear that I did not cut the first correctly. The weather is warmer now and the plant is able to be in the optimal temperature range, at night around 65. Does it have any hope? Also, what should I be doing to keep it alive? Oh and it came growing in, I think just moss, not much soil if any, it is in moss and it is difficult to see what is going on underneath. Should I replant?
Thanks for all the help!
I decided to remove my plant from the pot and investigate the roots. They were in all moss and the moss was very decomposed. So I did repot into new moss. I think I am interested in switching to stones though, but I'm not sure. All my flowers are gone, it looks like there is a new shoot coming off one of the spikes though. The roots and leaves are healthy. Should I cut the spikes down or just wait and watch if more off shoots come out?