New to the orchid family, need advice

[chubaroo13]

I am new to the orchid growing family. I am trying to nurse back a Phalaenopsis orchid my close friend brought back from Hawaii and her mother had neglected over the past few months. I have it in an inhome greenhouse where I am keeping the temp, light and humidity levels where recommended (60 at night and 75-80 at day, light on a normal day cycle as I don't have a south window that gets good sun, and humidity at 40%). I notice the leaves close to the stem seem healthy but as they get closer to the tips they seem to feel softer and more like rubber and are much more droopy than ones I see in pictures. Can anyone give me advice as to what is causing this and how I may treat the problem. There is a nob on the stem that is green and seems like it will sprout. I just repotted it last week after trimming the dead roots off as directed in a book I read. I know it hasn't been that long since it regained care but how long do I go before I change care on it. Any advice would be appreciated!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Orchids teach us patience. Sometimes they can go many months before they start to grow after neglect/mistreatment. As long as it doesn't contimue to go down hill, it will eventually start to grow again. The soft leaves are probably just a reaction to the repotting. Be sure when you water, that you do a very thorough job, lots of water thru the mix until it is well soaked.

[chubaroo13]

Thanks for the input Cynthia, I know from working in a garden center that orchids take patience, I just never took the time to learn greatly about them since when we received them from our growers they pretty much sold before we had to care for them.

[mayres]

My experience is that the leaves will look droopy and "sad" as a reaction to overwatering (or underwatering) and root deterioration. A few months down the road as the roots start to grow "back to life" your leaves should improve significantly if they have not gotten too loppy. As Cynthia suggests - patience definately is a virtue with orchids! :-) Good luck.