Newbie...I think I already killed a plant

[DevonG]

First let me say how happy I am I found this forum. I need some help, I think I already have a plant dying. I have two plants both are Phalaenopsis, one is doing really well the other not so much. I think I need to repot it but if someone can tell me I would appreciate the help. Here is what is wrong with my plant:

1)I already had 2 leafs go yellow and a third is very limp but still green. I water it only once a week .

2) The blooms shriveled up just days after they bloomed.

3)Some of the roots inside the pot is greenish with brown spots.


Is there any hope for my orchid??

Devon

[jdmatthew]

Are the roots soft and mushy or firm? Green or white roots are usually good. Decayed roots will be brown or black, or sometime white if they're dry.

[DevonG]

There are a few different looking roots. There is one brown mushy root in the center, a lot of dry looking roots that are still hard. All the green roots inside have brwon mold looking spots on them. Another thing that is different about this one compared to my other is it is lose in the pot. My healthy orchid is nice and tight in the pot, but the other is lose and leans. I don't know if that means anything.

Devon

[PhalNewbie89]

You might want to post more so you could add pics of the flower and its roots. It would make it easier for people to help you out.

[DevonG]

I have to post 5 times before I can put up a picture correct?

[mehitabel]

The yellow leaves, the wiltied leaf, the flowers dropping... You're right, all of these are bad signs. Sounds like rotten roots to me. You need to take it out of the pot and examine the roots

These notes at the Canadian Orchid Congress discuss the importance of roots, examining roots and repotting

Phalaenopsis Orchid Culture

Yes, 5 times. Say hi twice more or ask two more questions

[DevonG]

When I take it out to examine the roots do I then just put it right back in? That may be a dumb question but I really want to save it.

[DevonG]

Here is my 5th

[DevonG]

So here are some pictures.

photo 1- the roots with brown spotting

photo 2- the blooms, notice the top shriveled one. That bloomed just last week

photo 3- tthe bottom leaf is limp and wilted

photo 4- the underneath the limp leaf
101_0081.jpg

101_0078.jpg

101_0079.jpg

101_0083.jpg

[sunshine]

You haven't killed your phal, yet. In the 1st pic it looks like there is still some healthy roots. Healthy phal roots are big, fat green and silvery. My suggestion is take the phal out of that pot and inspect the roots. Trim away any of the roots that are brown mushy, black and rotted. Repot in fresh medium. Don't forget to soak your medium, first. I soak mine overnight and it seems fine. You can use the same pot, but I always wash it first in some good hot soapy/bleach water and rinse very well with hot water to kill anything that aint suppose to be there.

How often are you watering and how much? I take all my chids once a week
and sit them in the kitchen sink and let them have a good drink 15-20 mins but I have gotten busy and forgot and they've had a soak for about an hour
and they really don't seem to mind. I also have humidity trays. Or I should say
cache pots filled with pea gravel. I water when they need it. My phals also sit in a sunny east window.

[DevonG]

Originally Posted by sunshine

You haven't killed your phal, yet. In the 1st pic it looks like there is still some healthy roots. Healthy phal roots are big, fat green and silvery. My suggestion is take the phal out of that pot and inspect the roots. Trim away any of the roots that are brown mushy, black and rotted. Repot in fresh medium. Don't forget to soak your medium, first. I soak mine overnight and it seems fine. You can use the same pot, but I always wash it first in some good hot soapy/bleach water and rinse very well with hot water to kill anything that aint suppose to be there.

How often are you watering and how much? I take all my chids once a week
and sit them in the kitchen sink and let them have a good drink 15-20 mins but I have gotten busy and forgot and they've had a soak for about an hour
and they really don't seem to mind. I also have humidity trays. Or I should say
cache pots filled with pea gravel. I water when they need it. My phals also sit in a sunny east window.

This was very helpful but I do have another question. Do you fill you sink with water and let the plants soak it up or do running water? Also what type of medium should I use? Currently it is bark and my other phal is moss.

[jdmatthew]

Phals like to stay moist, but not sopping. Moss is commonly used in phals, but you have to be very careful not to water it too often. Moss in a plastic pot can stay wet a long time.

I think people water both ways, but it won't hurt your phal to let it soak for ten or fifteen minutes. (See sunshine's above post). However, I suspect that overwatering might be the source of your original problems, so tread carefully.

I've killed a phal or two (or more, but I don't want to reveal the number) by overwatering. I now use the skewer technique and am having great success with it, and I'm starting to see why everyone says phals are some of the easiest to grow. If you water them right and give them moderate light and a little fertilizer they are pretty simple. The problem is that you feel like you're doing a good thing and taking care of your plant by watering it often, when in fact you're really hurting it.

Keep in mind that the plant was designed by nature to hang off the side of a tree or a rock with the roots out in the air, where they get fairly regular rainfall and then dry to an extent. The more you can simulate the plant's natural environment, the better.

[mehitabel]

Good summary of phals needs, JD.

Originally Posted by jdmatthew

I've killed a phal or two (or more, but I don't want to reveal the number) ...

Made me laugh, thank you. I've killed a few, too, and I never tell *anyone* how many, even under threats and intimidation. Never will, either. One experienced orchid hand said "You're just not an expert til you've killed a hundred"

[Rivka]

i have a question, what is the white marks all over the leaf in the 3rd picture? it looks like a evaporation ring from the leaf being covered in water or dipped down into water as it dries?
just a note that most orchids, phals includes really don't like to be left wet , specially at night, it can rot them. and i would think that too much build up on the leaves can reduce their functions

and yeas, beautiful white flowers

[rcb]

Made me laugh, thank you. I've killed a few, too, and I never tell *anyone* how many, even under threats and intimidation. Never will, either. One experienced orchid hand said "You're just not an expert til you've killed a hundred"[/QUOTE]



I've been told this as well, and lets just say that over the last 14 years of growing orchids - well I'm ashamed to admit how many I've killed.

[DevonG]

So everyone keep their fingers crossed!! I repotted my phal today and am really hoping it can make it. I am using the wooden BBQ sticks in both plants to test when they need water. Thanks everyone for your help, I will post pictures when it is healthy.