please help! orchid may be sick and will not bloom!

[lilsoy]

dear all, can you please provide some advice for the care of our orchid? 2 pictures are attached below...

this orchid has been living in provence, france (climate should be similar to san francisco?) and has not bloomed since it was purchased more than a year ago. when it was purchased, there was a label that it is a phal, but there was no mention of which type.

the leaves are still pretty green but a bit droopy and the roots also look a bit shriveled and dry - no plump green roots...

can anyone help to identify this orchid and to provide some advice for proper care? it is potted in wood chips and is watered once a week. should it be blooming more frequently? if we put it in a colder place for a few days and bring it back into the heat again, will it grow flower spikes? how can we bring it back to its original form?

thanks in advance for your help!
amy

[kmarch]

Your orchid is a Phalaenopsis. Go to the orchid care section of this forum and look up the culture sheet for Phalaenopsis or go to AOS | Home and get a culture sheet there. A culture sheet gives you information on what conditions (light, temperature, etc) your orchid wants. Read the culture sheets and let us know if you have questions. It looks like it is over due to be repotted. Do you know when it was last repotted?

[brookn]

Hi it looks like it is in need of a repot. Let us know if you need instructions for this. It's leaves are limp suggesting too little watering or possible root loss from overwatering. Here is a link for you on watering:

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/new...f-orchids.html

Welcome to the forum.

[fred]

I would agree with the good advice given already

[phalaephila]

My two cents - gradually introduce that plant to higher light levels. Though phals are thought of as "low-light" plants, they still need strong indirect light, or even a bit of morning sun. The leaves on this plant look dark to me; a brighter grass green would be better. New roots will come with higher light levels as well. Temperature differences between night and day are beneficial for starting spikes.

Jeanne

[christinek]

Originally Posted by phalaephila

My two cents - gradually introduce that plant to higher light levels. Though phals are thought of as "low-light" plants, they still need strong indirect light, or even a bit of morning sun. The leaves on this plant look dark to me; a brighter grass green would be better. New roots will come with higher light levels as well. Temperature differences between night and day are beneficial for starting spikes.

Jeanne

I agree with phalaephila! That about sums it up. And it looks like maybe some roots are dying too.. But could be from what phaaephila has already mentioned..

[lilsoy]

Thank you everyone for your help! Will try that. And also glad that orchidgeeks is up and running again after its makeover!