Did I just kill my phalaenopsis?!?

[nadia.aymone]

Hello everyone!

I received as a gift two rather large phalaenopsis orchids (both in the same pot) about two weeks ago. By large, I mean both stems are about 30 inches long. While one plant seemed to thrive -- with a new bloom appearing almost every day -- the other plant did not do so well. A bottom leaf became yellowed and flaccid looking; the flowers began to dry out and drop; a few remaining buds shriveled up and fell off, and there were no new flowers. Meanwhile, some exposed roots were shriveling; I'm not sure what plant they pertain to. To give you some context, I live in Brooklyn, where it's been hot, and our apartment has been around 75-82 degrees. The plant gets plenty of sun -- though mostly indirect [it is about 15 feet from the kitchen window (southern exposure) and it is near, though not directly under, a skylight). I also have the pot elevated over a dish of water, as a friend who has his own phalaenopsis told me that the evaporation around the plant provides favorable humidity. The plants are potted in some sort of bark -- not sure what kind.

I had read (either here or on another online forum) that one shouldn't water the orchid every day, but give the pot a good soak in the morning about every 7 to 10 days. I assumed this meant putting the pot in another larger pot with filtered water (the water, of course, below the level of the top of the orchid pot, so all water absorbed soaks in from the bottom). I have no idea why I assumed this is what I was supposed to do, but in any case, I did this shortly after I got the plant, and I did it again this morning. When I checked on the plant about 45 minutes later, I noticed that the portion of the roots that I could see around the sicker plant had grown disturbingly dark in color; touching one, it felt soft, as though it were filled with air. [however, none of the shriveled roots, nor the flaccid leaf, had sprung back into liveliness] I immediately took the plant out of the water, and I've been hoping and praying every since that I didn't foolishly overwater it and cause the root system to rot and kill my beautiful plant. Since then, I've read in one place that phalaenopsis need lots of water since they have no storage mechanisms, and in another place that they prefer it dry, and I'm totally torn up over it all.

If I did overwater, is there anything I can do to save the plant? If something else is going on, what could it be? Why was one plant thriving, and the other failing to thrive? (I rotated the plant about a week ago, on the theory that somehow one was getting better light, but it didn't seem to make a difference) How can I prevent this from happening again?

This orchid is absolutely the nicest thing I have right now, and it would kill me if anything happened to it -- especially by my own hand!

Thank you so so so much in advance for your help! I really appreciate it!

[Anton]

A couple of points here.

Phals DO NOT LIKE EXCESSIVE LIGHT. They prefer low light levels, so the skylight may also be having an influence.

With watering, water first thing in the morning and give it a chance to dry out by evening. Here on the forum, we refer to the Skewer Method of moisture control.

There are stickies under "Orchid Care and Cultivation" which describe the method in full, but briefly what is involved is to use a bamboo kebab skewer stuck down into the pot.

Every day or two pull it out and see how moist it is by touching it on your lips.
Wait until it is barely moist, and almost dry, but NOT dry before re watering. This is a proven and fairly precise way of checking moisture levels.

See how that goes, I have them in every pot and it is a quick way of checking my plants every morning after I get out of bed.

My plants get looked after before I even have breakfast !!!!!!!!

[kmarch]

It's truely unfortunate that there is a website out there somewhere recommending that Phals be grown dry. All the more reason not to waste time surfing the web for culture info but instead to go directly to reliable sources like the American Orchid Society (aos.org) where you can doenload reliable cultural info on your orchids.

You are correct that Phals need a regular supply of moisture because they have no pseudobulbs like some orchids do. They're best kept gently and evenly moist. Never soggy, never dry.

[fred]

Quote]I had read (either here or on another online forum) that one shouldn't water the orchid every day, but give the pot a good soak in the morning about every 7 to 10 days


I agree with kmarch Quote It's truely unfortunate that there is a website out there somewhere recommending that Phals be grown dry. All the more reason not to waste time surfing the web for culture info but instead to go directly to reliable sources like the American Orchid Society (aos.org) where you can doenload reliable cultural info on your orchids

here is what we recommend for phal cultuer.
Culture Sheet Links From The AOS

I dont think anyone here on this forum has made a statment about that for a
phalaenopsis culture.

I also agree with Anton
http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/new...f-orchids.html

[nadia.aymone]

Thanks so much for the tips! The roots no longer seem to be frighteningly livid, and I"m crossing my fingers that I didn't do too much damage... I'll definitely use a skewer from now on, and I"m going to move the plant to a slightly shadier spot.