Phal. bought on Sunday, yellow by Wed.

[lunamoth1981]

On Sunday I bought my first Orchid, a white Phal. at a local Home Depot. It looked to be in good condition. By Wednesday it had some yellow leaves and the unopened flowers appear to be withering (see pictures).

Currently it is sitting in semi-bright but filtered light above a pebble & water filled tray (no water on the roots, of course). I realize that this is my first Orchid and that it is not uncommon for your first one not to make it, but this seems a bit much.

After reading around this forum and numerous other Orchid web sites, I suspect that my Orchid was exposed to too much cold (bought before my mother-in-law decided she wanted to eat, so had to leave the poor guy in the car for an hour at around 50 degrees F). I wont make this mistake again, that's for sure! How likely is my hypothesis, and is there any hope for my Phal.? If so, what should I do?

[articuno75]

You're right on one thing it does sound like too fast a falling for this little fellow. The 50 degree temp fall shouldn't have shocked it that bad. It can cause bud blast, but not the yellowing of leaves that you have. How is the moisture of the medium and did you get a chance to check the roots? This looks like crown rot, but can't say for sure. Hang tight and others will be on to also help.

[Ak_Orchid]

In all the time I've been growing phals I have never a seen leaves yellow just from the plant dropping to 50F. Phals can take colder temps than that. I'd be more concerned about the light levels. Phals typically don't like any direct sunlight. I'd try moving it to a more shaded area. Good Luck

[slippery_biscuit]

I think you would have had to work very hard to get yellow leaves in three days of your own doing. Far more likely that the plant was already headed down that path when you walked out of the store. Unless you picked it up on some non-returnable sale (and HD doesn't do that with their orchids) you can take it back.

For your first orchid, you really ought to start off with a clean slate. The more I think about it, you really ought to return it. Get a healthy plant, enjoy it.
After you have a few then you can play doctor. That's my two cents.

good luck!

[mayres]

I'm weighing in with slippery on this one. Take it back. The bud blast is understandable but NOT the yellow leaves. You didn't by any chance leave it in bright sunshine did you? (I'm not certain how bright of light you can get in Phoenix this time of year?) - even in the car with light rays streaming onto the leaves of the plant through the car windows? This is the only thing that I can think of that would do this to the leaves in short order - but normally happens in warm part of the year to the unknowing. Phals should never be placed in direct sunshine - indirect light only. When you get your next plant try and keep the temperature and light transition times as short as possible. Even putting it into a big box to insulate it from the elements is not a bad idea if the weather is extremely cold or sunny.

[adespo]

I haul phals around in my car at least a couple times a week and even leaving them in the car for a couple of hours I have never had that happen. Definately take it back.

[Account deleted by Request]

Originally Posted by lunamoth1981

On Sunday I bought my first Orchid, a white Phal. at a local Home Depot. It looked to be in good condition. By Wednesday it had some yellow leaves and the unopened flowers appear to be withering (see pictures).

Currently it is sitting in semi-bright but filtered light above a pebble & water filled tray (no water on the roots, of course). I realize that this is my first Orchid and that it is not uncommon for your first one not to make it, but this seems a bit much.

After reading around this forum and numerous other Orchid web sites, I suspect that my Orchid was exposed to too much cold (bought before my mother-in-law decided she wanted to eat, so had to leave the poor guy in the car for an hour at around 50 degrees F). I wont make this mistake again, that's for sure! How likely is my hypothesis, and is there any hope for my Phal.? If so, what should I do?

Your plant looks like it was either heat stressed (was it 50 degrees outside the car, sunny, windows closed?) or nutrient deficiency (nitrogen). Did the leaves yellow from the edges to the center or vice versa? Heat stress, as opposed to sunburn, will turn your leaves yellow like that. If you are a member of the AOS, there is a fairly comprehensive problem care area. In addition they have many good external links. It's well worth joining if you are not a member.

[palito]

yeah, count me in the votes for returning it to the store and getting a healthy plant.

[gerneveyn]

I vote to return it. If you like the flowers then make a note of the cross so you can find a replacement.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The plant may have been left outside at the store, before you bought it. By the way, we have 2 orchid societies in Phoenix, with my preference being the Desert Valley Orchid Society. Check it out on google. The other is the Orchid Society of Arizona. See you there if you decide to go to the meetings of either.

[patlee]

Let me chime in with EVERYBODY else--you don't need to deal with this (it will leave you with a bad taste in your mouth for growing orchids .) I can't say they saw you coming--it was probably on its way to turning yellow when you bought it.) Just take it back and get something healthy that is going to boost your confidence in your ability to take care of Phals. They are, in my opinion, one of the best orchids around

Good luck from here...

[robb]

Having bought more than 20 Phalaenopsis to be "rescued" from Home Depot, I have seen similiar problems as you describe. The leaves simply turn yellow one after another, and it's a quick change, I am 100% certain it is due to stress on them from whatever care they were given (or not!) while in the store. Definitely take it back if you can (mine were all purchased as "write-offs" meaning $1 each and not-returnable) they have a pretty good return policy. Bud's dropping off is one thing, the whole plant dying rapidly is another

Best of luck with future Phalaenopsis (they really are quite hardy and forgiving!).

[lunamoth1981]

Thank you everyone for all of your input and advise. I think I'm going to end up taking the advise that most of you have given me and take the plant back. Looks like I'll have to try, try again with another Phal. (I can't go and give up entirely!).

[tizzycat]

Lunamoth, you definitely shouldn't give up already. Take it back and start with a fresher, healthier plant.

My first ever orchid was a Christmas gift and immediately took a turn for the worse. My firend had had it for around a week before she gave it to me and when I took it out of the cellophane wrapping there was a pool of water in the bottom. I NOW know that this was the cause of the problem.

My friend returned it to the shop and got a replacement. I still have this plant, and in fact won a photo comp. award on the forum with it recently.

If my friend hadn't got a replacement, I could have given up there and then but as it is I am now hooked, addicted, call it what you like but it's an illness I'm more than willing to suffer from for a long long time.

Good luck with the exchange.

Chris.