Any hope?

[orchidclueless]

Hello,

I received my first orchid, a phalaenopis, as a gift in February. It started out well. I was careful not to overwater it and kept it in adequate indirect light. Unfortunately, I do not think I was able to meet the temperature requirements. The card it came with gave an optimal temperature range of 65–78 degrees. I do not have a lot of control over the temperature in my apartment, and although I kept my electric heater running, I was only able to maintain a temperature around 60. At times, the temperature dropped to as low as 58. The flowers the plant arrived with stayed ok for a while, but eventually dried up and all new buds dried up before they opened. I do not think it was due to under watering because I did test the soil daily. The leaves and stems are still a lush green color and the roots are firm. I cut one stem back to the node before the last blooming flower, the other stem I have not touched yet, out of fear that I did not cut the first correctly. The weather is warmer now and the plant is able to be in the optimal temperature range, at night around 65. Does it have any hope? Also, what should I be doing to keep it alive? Oh and it came growing in, I think just moss, not much soil if any, it is in moss and it is difficult to see what is going on underneath. Should I replant?


Thanks for all the help!

I decided to remove my plant from the pot and investigate the roots. They were in all moss and the moss was very decomposed. So I did repot into new moss. I think I am interested in switching to stones though, but I'm not sure. All my flowers are gone, it looks like there is a new shoot coming off one of the spikes though. The roots and leaves are healthy. Should I cut the spikes down or just wait and watch if more off shoots come out?

[brookn]

You will want to check the roots to see if it needs a repot. Sounds like you are doing fine with it, but any plant that you recieve especially the ones in moss generally need a repot. Also if it is done blooming, that is a good time to do a repot anyway.

[BunnytheOrchid]

Welcome to the forum!
Phals do tend to prefer slightly warmer temperatures in the day compared to the night, but 68F is not a terrible temperature for a phal. I'm sorry to hear one of the spike's lost its buds (typically called bud blast), but it sounds like the plant itself is healthy if the leaves are a good medium green and firm. If the orchid is completely in moss, be especially careful not to overwater because moss holds water for a very long time, especially with lower temps. Others here recommend the skewer method as a way of testing the medium. If you search Skewer method, you'll find a thread on it. Repotting might be a good idea to check the root system, but if the phal is in a clear pot, check the visible roots and if they look rotten or brown and mushy, a repot and removal of those dead roots will help it out. Good luck, and let us know if you have any other questions.

[fred]

Hi orchidclueless

Welcome to the forum

here is a link to the AOS Culture sheets you can download them to your PC

AOS | Culture Sheets

Also could you please go into your UserCP at the top left of the page and update your Profile with your Location as that will help us to understand your growing conditions.
We have members from all over the world with different growing conditions also that will help us with giving you the right advice.

[berkeleysgr8]

Yes, there is hope! Sometimes orchids don't respond well to the environmental differences between where they were grown and their new homes. When there are significant temperature differences, it is not uncommon for them to bud blast (drop their buds or flowers). As long as you have healthy leaves and roots, there is always hope!