State of my orchid

[pavithra]

I have uploaded some pictures of my orchid that bought recently. It is my first orchid and suddenly it got yellow and seems to be rotting at the bulb. Is there anything I can do to save it. Currently the way I maintained it was by
1. Watering it once in 7 days by letting water run down and not stagnate
2. No direct sunlight but it is in a well light room
3. Temperature of the room is around 18 degrees centigrade.

Any ideas as to how I can improve things

Thanks,
Pavithra

[Aniko]

Hi, Pavitra! I'm afraid it's to late to do something to save the plant because the rot starts right down the single one pseudobulb alive.
But, I may be wrong, I hope somebody else will express an expert opinion.
Aniko.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Pavithra's pictures:

[bodaciousbonsai]

Yeppers thats one for the garbage can! but hey dont let it get ya down! try a phalaenopsis as a starter orchid, low light levels, keep evenly moist not soaking wet. When you think it,s blooming size put near a cold window to induce flowering low 50-55 nights -70- 85 during the day.
clay

[Maddy]

It might well not have been in good shape when you bought it - I've bought plants that looked bright and healthy, only to discover the hard way that they weren't in good shape after all. A few I've saved, some I couldn't. But don't let it discourage you. My first orchid (a phal) didn't make it, either, but my second, which I bought about a week later, is about to bloom for me again.

From what you described, I think a phal (moth orchid) would love that spot.

[skabooya]

So what would be ideal for that kind of an orchid. Mine has multiple bulbs and one is rotton and dead. The spike on another bulb turned brown like the phals and is now gone. How do i get this one to rebloom/re spike.

Sorry for stealing your thread but i think it is relevant because I have the same orchid as you.

[maoandmee]

Its always heartbreaking to watch any plant - not just orchids - have a difficult time of it.

I just repotted my recently acquired phal as I discovered that most all the roots below were rotting but the leaves & flower above looked fine. I'm not sure it'll survive but I'm sure it won't be the last orchid I own!

[Aniko]

Hi, Skabooya
Are you sure that the pseudobulb is rotten or is just dead?
Is not the same thing.The older (usually smaller) pseudobulbs loose its leaves then die by aging.If a younger one die, that can be from other reasons, like rot.Touch it to see if it's soft or firm.
Other question: the spike bloomed and then died, or turned brown before flowering ?The first situation is normal and the stem can be removed.A new growth will start from the base of the pseudobulb which will develop a new pseudobulb and spike.
In case the plant is really sick, write back for further help.
Aniko.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Oncidium alliance spikes do not rebloom like Phals, so removal after flowering is proper. New growth will have the next flower spike. Old bulbs at the back of the plant, opposite the new growths, will die of old age. If it is unsightly, take a sterilized pruner and cut between the good and bad bulb, and you can pull the old bulb out, maybe with some cutting of the stringy old dead roots as you pull, or just pull and these will sort of pull out or break off.