Beginner Question!

[MattB]

Ok, so I bought an orchid for my girlfriend for her birthday about 2 months ago. I'm fairly certain it is a Phalaenopsis. Up until now it has looked great and the flowers looked fine, etc. About a week ago I noticed that one of the flowers was starting to wilt. The flower stem is turning light brown, and the flower ended up falling off. Now all of the flowers are doing this. I have it in the middle of a room facing an eastern window (no direct sun) and water it moderatly about twice a week. Is this normal that this happens? As far as I can tell the rest of the plant looks healthy. The stems are still green and firm, as well as the leaves. The only thing that looks a little strange is that where the roots stick out above the moss - they look a little dry in that particular spot. So, I'm wondering if this is a natural life cycle, etc. and will the flowers rebloom at some point, and is there anything I need to do in order to achieve this? Thanks in advance for any help!!

[fred]

Hi MattB
welcome to the forum
I hope you enjoy your stay with us
here is a link to the AOS where you can download a culture sheet.
http://www.aos.org/aos/orchids/page01.aspx
It sounds like your Phal has finished flowering.
with the use of moss it needs to be kept moist and not wet.
having roots above the moss is normal for Phal,s

It would also help us to help you if you could also go into your user settings and update your Profile with your Location.

As we have members from all over the world with different growing conditions.

[PhalPal]

Hi Matt and welcome to the forum. It does sound like you have a Phal; they are the most commom gift plant. What your flowers are doing is normal. When all of your flowers have faded, cut off the stalk. Watering twice a week with moss is too much and overwatering is the easiest way to kill a phal with root rot. Phals like their 'dirt' (media) to be just slightly damp before the next watering. I have included a link that helped me greatly with watering when I was a raw beginner. It's not uncommon to go two weeks or more between waterings when potted in moss, especially in a humid environment.

Skewer use for watering of orchids

There is LOTS of good info on this forum - search around. I will find the AOS link Fred above was referring to. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask more questions.

Found it!! http://www.aos.org/aos/uploadedfiles...lturephals.pdf

[charleyismydog]

Welcome. A lovely gift and so sweet that you're helping your girlfriend care for it. Alas, it's the circle of life. The blooms don't last forever...but with tender loving care they do come back!