Phal dying?

[dmk112]

I've had my phal for for 4 months now. I bought it at a farmers market with already bloom flowers. It had been looking great but recently 3 of the 7 flowers are starting to wilt and one of the leaves (bottom) is turning yellow. What can be the problem? Is it dying or just going through a regular cycle? How can I tell?

Thanks!

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by dmk112

What can be the problem? Is it dying or just going through a regular cycle?

Hi and welcome to the forum! Your new phalaenopsis is just going through its normal cycles. When it comes to growing and blooming, think of your orchid as if it any other plant you may have in your house or yard. For example, if you grow pansys in your yard you'll see that they grow a bud, it blooms and the flower then dies. Orchids are the same in any other plant in this respect. Your flowers lasted for 4 months and this is about what you'd expect so it's done well. Also like an african violet or any other house plant, an old leaf may die off from time to time. Also nothing to worry about.

Originally Posted by dmk112

How can I tell?

You can tell by learning a bit about growing Phalaenopsis orchids. Go to the American Orchid Society and download a culture sheet on how to grow phals or look at the culture sheet on this forum. Also go look for Ortho's All About Orchids which is the best book I know for beginners. It's cheap too, less than $15.

[fred]

Hi dmk112
welcome to the forum
as kmarch has given you good advice could I please get you to go into your Profile and update your Location as we have members from all over the world with different growing conditions that will help us to understand your conditions and also with giving you the right advice.