My orchid :(

[Desirai]

hi there, I am a newbie to the forum and to orchids.

My very first orchid I ever had died within weeks of me getting it. this was about 2 years ago.

My mom bought me a new orchid about 4 months ago.

I've been mothering it to keep it alive. It started out only a few inches tall with two leaves and 4 flowers on it. Over the months it has grown to be about 12 inches tall and has bloomed 8 flowers.

A few days ago, all of the flowers wilted.. out of nowhere. They wilted and fell off.
Now I'm noticing its rooty appendages sticking out of the pot that were green/white are now turning hard, brown and shriveled.
The end of its stalk? where the flowers were blooming is turning yellow/brown.

The leaves are still bright green and fleshy.

I don't know what kind of orchid it is. It was sold at a grocery store as an "Orchid" and it was pale pink with the middle of it green/yellow

Is it normal for it to do this after blooming its flowers?

I don't have any pictures of it when it was blooming.

Is it dying?

[mayres]

Welcome to the forum! A picture of your orchid would help. If you don't have access to a digital camera then I suggest you go to this site and click on the culture sheet for the different genera of orchids and you will probably come up with the one that matches yours. You will also get some excellent basic culture concepts here - AOS | Members Only Area The most common grocery store sold orchids (at least in my area) are phalaenopsis, dendrobium, intergeneric (oncidium types) crosses, miltoniopsis, & paphiopedilums.

[Desirai]

Thanks a lot, the orchid is definitely a Phalaenopsis

[Dihcro]

We would need the picture to actually see what is going on with your orchid.

[mayres]

Sometimes the flower spikes turn brown after flowering - this is normal - just cut off at the base. A picture of your plant would as noted be beneficial in helping folks here give you there opinion on health. The first and primary check for phalaenopsis health is to check the root system - pull it out of its pot and check all roots - they should be firm and fleshy - usually tan or even green if exposed to sunlight. Bad roots will be soft and squishy, black, thread-like or the flipside - hard and wrinkled. All bad roots can be removed. If your roots are all healthy and the media is still in good condition you can just replace everything as you found it and everything will go on as before with no ill effects. If there are maintenance issues needed you will be thankful for the experience. Read the culture notes on the link provided and see if you still have any questions............