HELP! Black, yellow leaves and stems!

[sarahaden]

I have had my orchid since March 2006. It has lived with me in Brooklyn (from Florida) for 1.5 years. For the past few months, the leaves have begun to turn yellow and dry up. Sometimes they have block spots on them. It generally begins around the edges - turning dark, then yellow, then drying up the entire leaf. Just yesterday I noticed that the stems are turning yellow in the middle and the flowers are drooping. My second orchid (last 2 pics) came to me in December 2008 and the leaves are also drying up.

They live on my windowsill which gets full light in the morning. The steam heater is in front of the window. I water them once aweek by sitting them under the running faucet or 30 seconds and allowing them to drain in the sink for a few hours. What am I doing wrong?

My first orchid used to thrive and grow beautiful flowers and strong green leaves and spikes under this regimen.

A few weeks ago I found a small spider and web under a stem clip. No other signs of bugs.

The first orchid may need repotting? I have not removed it from its original container.

Any suggestions are appreciated!!

[lmartiny]

I think it is burned. Can you move it away from the heater?

[Hummer344]

I agree, I think its burned.

[11Orchid126]

You might consider buying a couple of plastic trays like the type used for seedlings. You will need two because they are thin and flexible. Or some sort of deep dishes, platters or trays. You can fill these with some stones (or plastic peanuts) and then water, and keep the plant on the wet stones. This might help to keep the plants a bit cooler and provide a degree of humidity.

[PhalPal]

I don't think they don't like the radiator; orchids like blasts of cold or hot air. Just for good measure, I would pull it out of the pot and inspect the roots. This is always the first thing I do when I have an orchid that is showing signs of distress. Also, which direction does your window face??? Are they tinted?? Curtains?? Trees?? If you are getting straight southern sun in midday that could burn your leaves as well.