Ok i don't know what Im doing. Can someone help me?

[ea.bednar]

Ok, so I bought a Phalaenopsis orchid about 3 weeks ago. When I bought it it was in full bloom, and it had probably about 20 flowers. It is very large and has a main stem and 2 other branches.

About half of the flowers have died. They started dying last week or so.

it has 6 leaves, two of which looks likes its about to die. One that looks likes it is about to die also had like a hole rotted through it, so I cut the leave to right below the hole.
Some of the leaves are getting a thin red brownish rim that goes around the leaf. And when I transported the plant back to my house, the weight of the plant cracked some of the leaves. though they don't seem to be dying I did not realize how important the leaves were at the time. Half of the leaves also have like white spots on them( it looks like some water with a white substance was splashed on the leaves and dried). Though I can't find any pictures of this leaf disease either.

Does it sound like my plant is going to die?

I know my plant it not getting enough humidity, does anyone have tips on what kind of tray to use for the gravel tray. Also what is a good way to get good air movement? I'm attaching some pictures of the leaves, and if anyone could help me it would be a big help and I would really appreciate it. This is my first plant...maybe I should have tried something easier.

[brookn]

Hi, the red on the edges indicates that it is getting a lot of light. I would love to see a pic, but you have to post 5 times before you can post one. Let's start with the basics, watering how often are you watering, what medium is it planted in, and where are you keeping it lightwise?

Check these out:

Skewer use for watering of orchids

AOS | Phalaenopsis

[ea.bednar]

Well I watered it once, just enough to keep the soil moist...but I will try this skewer thing it seems like a good idea.
However, The other day I was talking to my mother about the flowers dying. And she dumped some fish fertilizer in water in it. Which it kind of sat in the water for a few days. At the time I was unaware that this would harm the plant, and then I noticed the white spots...
It is growing in a potting mix. The soil is semi loose though, and I didnt pack it down or anything

[fred]

hi and welcome to the forum
I agree with brookn there
here is one of the basics that you will also need a Culture sheet
here is a link to the AOS culture information
AOS | Phalaenopsis

a small electric fan provides good air movement...

also it would help us if you could go to your UserCP at the top left of the page and update your Profile with your Location that will help us to understand your growing conditions and also with giving you the right advice.

Potting mix is that for orchids or is that garden potting mix ?

does you potting mix look anything like this ?

[ea.bednar]

Garden potting mix..I live in columbus oh..im growing it indoors.

[brookn]

Ohh garden potting mix-probably not good. Maybe it is peat or coir? If it sat in that mix of water for a few days, I think you are going to need to depot it, and rinse, then rinse, then rinse again on the roots. Then repot using a good potting medium for a newbie, like a bark mix. Honestly a pic would really help. Also if it sat on the leaves in any light, it would magnify the light and burn the plant. Like I said, redness on the leaves indicates it's getting bright light. It depends on how red. It also depends on if it has colored flowers, they tend to have redder leaves.

[fred]

I would not recommend gardening potting mix for Phals
you really need to get some orchid potting mix for your Phal.
but even before we move onto re potting it would be a great idea if we could see a picture of your plant.

if you can get 2 more posts up we maybe able to help even more

good advice brookn

[brookn]

I concur Dr.!! Fred when you get a chance check out the last page of the Neo thread, I have a spike!! Okay back to topic-sorry (I'm excited).

Edit] OK brookn I will take a look now..

[ea.bednar]

Ok I will get the special mix I didnt even know they did that thanks for helping me I will post the pictures as soon as i figure out how.

[ea.bednar]

ok i think after i post this i can post links to the pictures.

[ea.bednar]

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/IMG_1115.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/IMG_1114.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...r/IMG_1113.jpg

Edit] try the IMG Code of the pictures....

[fred]

here you go this will help you with posting pictures.

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/sug...ding-info.html

How to Post Images

if you need any more help with uploading pictures please feel free to PM me ( private message )

[ea.bednar]

So when I just use a bark mix and soil, no planting soil at all? Also I got a picture up of the leaves.

[brookn]

Just bark mix, and soak it overnight before using it. Soil will more than likely kill your Phal. I will go check out your leaves.

[fred]

I think the plant needs a looser mix to let the roots breath better
I also think (my opinion only) I would plant the Pal into another pot and sit that pot inside the pot that it is in now for there are no circulation holes for the plant.

what is your opinion brookn ?

[brookn]

Well, it looks like peat or coir, and the plant is not really happy about it. It needs to come out of that mix IMO, and be repotted. The red around the edges is fine, it is actually a normal thing. The white spots are from water, and no big deal. It looks like it is either dehydrated, or it has root damage, and cannot take in enough water. I would actually have to see all of the roots to know, but if you repot, you will be able to see. Bad roots will be squishy, and dark brown or black. Did you purchase this from a grower?

Back to you Dr. .

[ea.bednar]

Well i bought it at a nursery that I had never been to...they had several different species of orchids, but they were growing in a green house and doing very good. All the plants were large
They were all large plants It came in soil so I assumed that soil was fine, the directions say pot in a porous mix, but I did not know what that meant really thank you for telling me about bark.

I'm relieved about the white spots I thought maybe it was getting a disease. When I repot, if the roots are diseased should I just cut them off like I had read?

[fred]

I concur with you nurse brookn lol
I also would like to see the root system on this one.
I think it does need a courser mix though.
with a courser mix and air movement the same pot may also be used again but if the roots are rotten mushy or brown we will be looking at a smaller pot as well.

[solay]

Yes you need to cut off the rotten or dead roots before you re-pot it. Post a pic.of the roots so others can give you more advice on how healthy the plant really is.