Have I killed my orchid?

[evethejust]

I went away on vacation for 3 weeks and neglected to get anyone to come water my plants. The African Violet made it out just fine, and the orchid looked okay when I got home. The leaves were a little wrinkly, and the stalk that once upon a time had flowers had turned brown and crunchy, but I figured it would recover. I started watering it (probably over-watered) and the leaves then went yellow and fell off. Now I can see a few greenish roots still poking out of the pot (it's a Phal), and those seem firm, but with a few black spots. The underground roots all seem to be hollow and squishy (yes, I pulled it out to check, and it seemed pretty packed for a plant I only bought in Feb).

I have never fertilized, re-potted or done anything but throw a little water on it now and then.

Is it a gonner or can it be brought back? And if it's a gonner, is there a good resource I can look to for information to help the next poor plant-victim I bring home?

[Aniko]

This is a sad story.

The biggest problem is that you don't love your plants.
If you love them, you take care of them - at least TRY to give them what they need...when they need...

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Fertilizing is not a survival problem. Orchids can go on for a long time without it. Getting the watering right is the most important. You, or the store you bought it from, must have watered it too frequently, hence, rotting roots. Look for posts where bamboo skewers are mentioned for testing the water remaining in the pot before watering. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ