Help me save my orchid!

[momavos]

Hello,
I am happy to have found this site. I am so upset about an orchid I bought only yesterday. I believe it's a phal.

It's in a clear pot and the roots in there look green. It seems to be planted in some type of bark. It has only one leaf and it is a yellowish green color. There are three buds that haven't open yet.

When I brought it home yesterday it was very dry so I watered it. It is still moist so I haven't watered again. There are two roots above the soil and one sticking out from a hole in the bottom. That one looks dry.

I really want this plant to live. I don't seem to have luck with plants. I have never had a plant to live past a week.

Would repotting help? and would I have to wait until all flowers have dryed up first?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
Vostine

[patticake]

What makes you think it's dying? Here's a couple of links to look at that may help. I would wait on the re-potting a bit.

AOS | Phalaenopsis

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/new...f-orchids.html

Keep us posted!

[vcuchick]

I agree, the links Patticake gave you are very good.

You may see your plant get worse before it gets better. It's very common for an orchid to show stress when you bring it into a new home...Put it in an east or south facing window on a tray with some pebbles- put water on the tray to cover the pebbles but not touch the bottom of your orchid pot. orchids like lots of humidity, but they don't like to be overwatered. You can actually kill a plant from overwatering. I HIGHLY recommend the skewer method recommended (see above link) it's really helped me take the guess work out of watering.

Orchids are slow growers. You make have to wait a few weeks to a few months to see a healthy change in your orchid. the trick right now is to take care of the roots and leaves...if those are healthy/happy, the blooms will come. Roots sticking out are good. Orchids get neutrients from the air.

If you're really serious about rehabing that plant, go find the "Miracle Gro Guide to Orchids" it's an easy to read book that covers all aspects of orchid care. There's a lot of information though so read it in small doses.

Also, read some of the back postings here on the forum. There are so many great growers on here with great advice. Post some more on the site, after you've posted a half dozen times, it will allow you to add photographs. Those are really helpful because once others see exactly what is going on, they can give you more specific advice than the general stuff.

In the meantime, go buy the book, give the plant some nice sunlight (careful not to burn it) and read up on the skewer watering method (super easy!!!)

Good luck and happy growing!!!!!!!!!!!!

[momavos]

Thanks guys,
I will try everything suggested here.
V.

[fred]

very good advice there so all I can ad is welcome to the forum
nice to have you with us and please feel free to ask all the question you need to we are all here to help

[CharliesAngel51]

I don't think your orchid is dying. The above link to the skewer method for watering is a good idea. It really helps to determine when your plant needs water. Before I started to use this method I was over watering and that is not a good thing for orchids. Don't worry about the roots that are out of the pot, phal roots seem to like to wander all over the place. Good luck. Glad you joined us.

[rl42]

You have received a lot of good advise. I know I was worried about over watering and now I am using the BBQ Skewer method. I too am new here and welcome a nice group of people here.

Ray

[brookn]

Hi, if you could get a pic of your plant, that would help also. It's hard to start your orchid addiction with an already sick Phal. Since they like company, maybe you could find a nice healthy one to keep it from being lonely, and to encourage it to recover.

[CharliesAngel51]

Originally Posted by brookn

Hi, if you could get a pic of your plant, that would help also. It's hard to start your orchid addiction with an already sick Phal. Since they like company, maybe you could find a nice healthy one to keep it from being lonely, and to encourage it to recover.

Did I forget to mention that in addition to giving advice we also encourage you to get more orchids? LOL