Orchid-challenged

[Jencanta]

Hello!

My name is Jennifer. I recently started a new job and my family sent me an orchid on my first day. I have no knowledge of orchids, nor most plants really, but I really love this one and I would like to keep it alive, and hopefully, thriving. I've been told to water it occasionally-once a week. I've only had it two and a half weeks. When I received it, there were lots of buds. On Monday of the second week however, I came to work and my orchid was looking very sad. Many of the buds had turned yellow/orange and dropped onto my desk. The green isn't looking as vibrant, and there are new buds sprouting, but they are yellow. Is this normal? I have no clue. It just doesn't look as good as it did before and I'm worried it won't last the month. Please help!

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jennifer

[Willc73]

Is there a tag on it? Do you have any digital pictures?

[Fabolusus]

What is the humdity like in your office? What kind of light does your orchid get? What kind of orchid is it? Also, knowing where you are located helps. It sounds to me like bud blast, probably caused by improper watering and/or low humidity. Orchids usually go through a transition period where they get used to your conditions, and changes like bud blast, change in leaf color and the drying of aerial roots are normal. You should look at this thread:

Skewer use for watering of orchids

It explains the "Skewer method" for watering orchids. It really helped me.

[Jencanta]

Well, there's no tag on it. I went and looked at photos-horticultural website and it looks exactly like the Phalaenopsis 'Brother John' picture, just a different color. So...I think that's what I have. I'll have to bring my digital camera in on Monday and take a picture of it to show you guys.

As for the humidity in the office...I would say it's very low. There are lots of big open windows around, with lots of natural light...but my cubicle is not so close to them. You could say my orchid gets more direct flourescent light. I'm located in Burbank, California. This may seem like a silly question...but you mentioned a cause of bud blast as being low humidity...and well, there's really very little humidity. Would it be better to take my orchid home and keep it somewhere, like the bathroom? Do orchids like humidity? Is it good for them? Perhaps I should get a book... But in the meantime, I really appreciate all the help and suggestions you've given me. Thank you so much. I'm open to any more advice you may have! Oh! And thanks for sharing the skewering thread!

[Fabolusus]

Most orchids do best with humidity levels between 60-80%. However with humidity you also need airflow, as most orchids will not tolerate stagnant conditions. Most novices accomplish this by using humidity trays or simply with a flat dish covered with pebbles and water. I doubt the flouros in your office will do anything, unless your phal is directly under it (3-4 inches from the light source).In California you could keep it outside if you wanted, just make sure it gets very little to no direct sunlight. Alot of people do keep orchids in the bathroom, or in the kitchen next to the sink. Phals are classified as low light, so as long as they get indirect light from a window they should be fine.

[Jencanta]

Oh wow! No wonder my orchid's not doing so well....eek! Thank you so much! I'm definitely taking her home this weekend. I'll have to show you a picture when she's not looking so peak-ish. Thank you again for your wonderful advice-I'm so grateful and so glad I became a *junior* member and was able to talk to such helpful nice people about healing my orchid. Have a wonderful weekend!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Orchids like humidity if they can get it, but most will adapt to a lesser amount of humidity. Here in Arizona, land of low humidity, plenty of people grow orchids in their windows without any attention to humidity. Your plant is probably just going thru a culture transition shock. That may cause the flowers to fade prematurely, but it should not kill the plant, just slow it down until it gets accustomed to its new home. It will probably need a little more light tho. A flourescent desk lamp 10 to 12" over the plant should do fine, just turn it on when you come to work, and off when you leave, and maybe on over the weekend. I lived in Glendale for many years, and it is definitely more humid than Arizona.