Newbie-Help my blushing bride!!!

[Red-Blossom]

Hi fellow orchid lovers. Admirer for years, mom of new.

I have a blushing bride Maki watanabe that I recieved as a present at work. The bride was kinda peekid when I inherited from a fellow co worker. She has been going down hill since!

She has droopy blossoms, the buds have fallen off, and the leaves are scruched up and beginning to wrinkle. At first I thought the leaves were absorbing too much water, but She remains green, then I thought it needed more drying out. So I left it, then I looked on a few forums and figured I'd drop a line to the experts.

I understand they are natural to the tree tops and along bark, so the medium is what it came with in the pot. My purple Gems are happy, but the blushing bride is sick.

Please help.

Any advice.

[psyc1210]

Have you checked it's roots? It is possible that the roots are rotted and are not able to get enough water to the leaves, which would explain why they are wrinkling.

[jay]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Glad to have you hear.

The name of your plant is Phalaenopsis Maki Watanabe 'Blushing Bride'. Here is a good place to start with culture.

AOS | Phalaenopsis

Next try this for watering.

Skewer use for watering of orchids

The leaf wrinkling is due to lack of water to the plant. Keep in find this could be due to too much water and the roots getting rot and dying. It could also be from not enough water. I would do as psyc1210 suggested and check the roots. If they are brown and mushy then they are rotting. If they are green and firm then you are ok. Let us know what you find and post a picture if you have any.

[Red-Blossom]

Yes, I checked the roots, they ARE mushy, and tan and yellow. Not firm. btw thank you for the fast reply. This is great. When I bring in my camera tomorrow I'll take photos of my sickly bride. I'm very thankful you all took the time to answer my plea. Thank you.

How far back should I be able to trim the roots. I don't want to cause any extra harm to her then she already is feeling.

Humbly looking through the forums for tips.

Sin.
Red

[mayres]

All roots that are not plump and firm should be removed - even if you have none left (but hopefully this will not be the case!). If they are mushy, dried and paper-y, black and soft, etc. remove - they cannot help the plant at this stage and may increase the progression of the problem if not removed. You will need to consider placing in a new medium immediately afterwards as well - if you use bark be sure and soak it 24-48 hours first. Depending upon the size of the pot and remaining root mass you may even need to consider downsizing the pot - smaller is better than bigger in most circumstances that you describe.

[ALJ]

Just out of curiosity, after soaking the new medium would you repot the phal and water it afterward? Or would it be best to wait a couple of days before doing so? Also, would soaking the plant in a solution such as Phyton 27 or Physan 20 keep the roots from some sort of infection?

[Red-Blossom]

I have miracle potting mix for orchids. Will that be ok, and should I chop the roots, tear them, or cut them with scissors?
I used to be a floral apprentice, so I know " the cut" can effect a plant dramatically.
First time with orchids though.

Also, I have posted the pictures of my sick blushing bride.
I will cut the roots from the root rot, and repot as you all graciously instructed. Thank you.
But will the Miracle grow potting mix be ok for orchids?

Sin.

Red

[jay]

When removing the old roots you want to use sterile instruments. This could be scissors or a blade, as long as it is clean and sterile. This way you won't accidentally introduce foreign bacteria or fungus to the cuts.

If it is a bark mix then it should be ok. Make sure that you soak it first before repotting. This will be very important since you will probably be short on roots and they will need to get the moisture from the bark. Do you have any good roots left?

Also, did you post your pictures to the gallery? Maybe someone can link it up to this thread.