New orchid owner, slightly panicked! Help!

[sweety1786]

Hello all,
I bought a phalaenopsis orchid two days ago and am apparently already killing it, which is so sad because even though I haven't had it long, I am somewhat attached! It was fine for the first day, but then I watered it and woke up yesterday to see that the flowers are wilting and the new little buds on it are shriveling. Please let me know if there is something I am supposed to be doing that can save it- I am so sad that it isn't doing well, and obviously don't know much about taking care of these beautiful flowers! Thank you for any help you can give me!!

[mayres]

Don't panic!
Phalaenopsis flowers/buds commonly have a rough time adjusting to new environments from which they are brought (greenhouse) to this condition. Can you please update your profile to show where you live - it might make a difference in advice given in the future. In general the most common problem with phals is overwatering. This often occurs before they are even acquired - by the well meaning folks in supermarkets, big box stores, etc. There are a host of medias that phals may be potted in, and the frequency that watering should occur depends upon media and environment from which you live. NEVER allow them to sit in a pool of water - they need to drain well. For general culture you might check out the culture sheet on phalaenopsis from the American Orchid Society and then see what questions you still have - try this link - AOS | Culture Sheets

[snowballsarebad]

Hi. Take a deep breath You might not be killing it. One unfortunate thing about some orchids is when you bring them home for the first time, they drop some or all of their flowers and buds (bud blast). This is due to a change in environment, such as exposure to cold air, dry air, more light, etc. It happens a lot, and in most cases it doesn't mean that your plant is going to die.
What might cause more concern is if your leaves are wilting, or becoming limp. If they are not turgid or firm and plump, then the plant might be dehydrated for lack of root structure. If this is so, you can check the roots by pulling out some of the medium it is planted in. They should be plump, and whitish/gray or green. If they are dry and papery, or soggy and brown/black, and not firm, then they are likely dead. In that case, you will need to repot and take special care to water it correctly.
Best of luck, and welcome to the forum.

[PhalPal]

Orchids really are tough plants (they amaze me all the time) and it isn't easy to kill one in two days. Please update your location and tell us where your orchid is being grown, i.e. outside in sun, inside in shade or sun, etc. Here is a link to a great method of learning how to water orchids; they take surprisingly little water.
http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/orc...f-orchids.html

[jay]

Hi and welcome to the Forum. You have already received some very good advice, so relax and enjoy.

Hope you enjoy your stay here.

[evagentry]

It sounds like bud blast, it is probably not your fault, the change in condions from where it was grown to your home stressed the plant, be careful not to over water and it should be o.k., oh, welcome to the forum!

[aliceinorchidland]

this is aliceinorchidland--I have one Phal two weeks old and one Cat one week old .They look healthy and are flowering. On the Cat,I noticed a thin paper-like white covering on the sheath last night when I watered it.This morning, it is turning green again.Is thispaper-like covering normal Cats? If not what ,what am I doing wrong?

[Vivienne]

Can you take a pic alice? It almost sounds like a root. I've never had my sheaths turn green/white, but then again, I'm not a Catt expert.