First post - "killer" of orchids help

[lynda]

Most of my life we lived in South Florida where growing orchids was a snap. When we moved to NE Georgia I brought many of my favorites with me which promptly died. Over the last many years I keep buying more--and these die also.
Now I have bought the most simple of them all (phalaenopsis). All three have survived since December. Probably because I put them in the only room that does not have gas heat.
Any suggestions ... I do not over water, probably under water. lynda

[evagentry]

Welcome to the forum, it sounds like you are having problems with your growing area,I was having problems also, until I moved my plants into a spare bedroom with western light. Did you grow your orchids outside in Florida? Inside growing is a whole new game.Maybe some one else will be able to help you more, good luck.

[made4engineering]

You must tell us the nature of their death... What do they do before they die? Do they shrivel up? Turn yellow? Brown? Do they scream? Details details... Pictures of the dying patients will help us diagnose.

[lynda]

Originally Posted by made4engineering

You must tell us the nature of their death... What do they do before they die? Do they shrivel up? Turn yellow? Brown? Do they scream? Details details... Pictures of the dying patients will help us diagnose.

Death is always very sad! The leaves turned yellow and just fell off.
The three orchids (that are still alive since December) are in a room with no gas heat and the light they are receiving is from Frenchdoors where the blinds are inside the glass (these doors open onto a large roofed & screened in west facing room--so no direct sun). I have also been leaving a table (40watt) light on (the 3-orchids sit on that table).
So far they seem very happy. I tend to underwater these. But when I do water I give them (including leaves) a good watering & let them drain over a towel before returning them to "their" room.
So far I haven't fed them --- what should I use ?
thanks, lynda

[articuno75]

I'm betting all the money on the table your plants are getting fungus/crown rot. How often do you water now compared to how you watered then?

[11Orchid126]

How close are they to the light?

[slippery_biscuit]

Perhaps you could define "gas heat". If you are describing a natural gas forced air heat system, I think you should look elsewhere for the problem. These systems have externally vented exhaust. If you are describing some other non-vented heat system, then possibly. More information is needed if that is the case.

Temperature, light, water...

[Greenhouse Gal]

Slippery you may have something there. Any heating system that is old can have leaks.

Lynda -Is this an older house? How old is the heating system? (hopefully your problem is elsewhere. )

[Tony]

If it is the heat then you have bigger problems than the just the orchids dying. If you think its too dry then add humidity, but if you think its from the gas exhaust from the heat, better call someone in to check the system. That should not happen.