New to orchids and my plant is already dieting :(

[lil12002]

So i got this orchid for a special occasion last month, it had been doing good then i went on vacation for 3 weeks and it came back to this, the steam wasn't as yellow when i came back, i added water because it was dry and it has gotten more yellow, i left it on my desk next to a window that gets direct sunlight, so it got enough indirect light all 3 weeks, temperature was about 70F, right now the plant is mouse and i haven't added water in almost a week, what could it be? any suggestions?

[lil12002]

i have to have 5 post to posts a picture?

[lil12002]

my sister also gave me a spider orchid, and i rescued another orchid plant from my mothers bathroom... it was just sitting there in the dark, i added water and put it in a sun room...

[Mira-Claude]

yes you do! keep at it!

[lil12002]

2 more post and i'll post pictures...

[lil12002]

1 more post!!

[lil12002]

cha ching!



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[Mira-Claude]

What is it potted in?
Was it ever repoted?
How often do you water it?

[Daethen]

Looks like the leaves are ok, but the spike is turning yellow. Any blooms are done for, but the plant itself should be just fine.

[lil12002]

i think its potted in clay and bark, whatever it came from at the store, it has never been replanted, and i try and water it once a week.

[lil12002]

there are no blooms on there and the flowers were already falling off...

[Daethen]

Are the leaves still green looking? Am I correct that it is just the flower spike that is yellowing?

[lil12002]

yea the leaves are still green its just the spike that has turned yellow is that ok? how often should i water it?

[dounoharm]

that is normal when the flowering spike is finished....just trim it back to one to two inches from the base....it will send out a new spike in its own time on its normal bloom cycle.....watering it is tricky.....you mentioned it was potted in clay and bark, so i will guess maybe once a week to ten days it needs a good long drink of water....do not let it sit in water....and make sure it drains well.....gl

[Daethen]

Ya it is normal for the spike to die back. Take a pencil or chopstick or something like it and stick into the center of the pot and leave it for a few minutes. If it comes out wet or cool when you touch it to your cheek, it is still wet in the middle, so wait to water.

Okies...is the orchid dieting or dying? LOL Your pictures show it is alive with green leaves, blooming is over and the spike needs to be trimmed. I suggest you research on how to replant it in a proper medium for phalaenopsis growing in San Francisco, your area...ask the professionals in your flower shop neighborhood what media they use and how to properly replant it. You can also watch videos on youtube. Read the notes of members and stickies about it in this forum; many have written about their experiences on caring for this kind of specimen. But whatever youre doing now wont kill it...I noticed you used caution on watering it; so I wont be worried that youd overwater it and have crown rot.

[orchids4me]

I'm over here by San Francisco also. I use a med bark mix these days for faster draining and slight drying. In the summer depending on the pot size water once or twice a week depending on how hot it gets. In the winter time less oftern. Avarage of every 7 to 10 days. In winter every 4 to 5 in summer make sure the plant isn't sitting in water and water by letting the water run through the media to flush the pot. When re potting avarage once every 2 years the pot should be one to 2 fingers fitting between the pots edge and the root ball or root mass. That's plenty big enough for 2 years growth before the next re pot. The media its in sound fast draining. Make sure they didn't cover a ball of moss around the roots under the chunky media. I have lost Phals when I didn't check to root rot because it stayed to wet.
Good luck!
Emmaye

[lil12002]

^ ca you explain what you said a little better I'm not too sure what you mean... Oh and I forgot I used to live in SF i'm living in Los Angeles now its much hotter here...

[lil12002]

My Plant is dieing again it was doing good for a while, even growing a new leaf, then it dried out all of a sudden, can i still save it? Advise??? Suggestions? Thanks!




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[Emma Grey]

It looks like the bottom two leaves and the top new leaf are yellowing. Is that right? If so, I would pull the plant out of the pot and check its roots.

Also, it looks like it's in a plastic pot within another plastic pot. Is there a reason for this? If it's like this all the time, it's probably cutting off air from the roots. Again I'd check your roots and see how they look.

[BGGraham1]

Hi! Just wondering, did you ever repot it? It kind of looks like its in sphagnum moss, and the roots I can see look rotted. Also, when you water, are you careful not to get water in the crown of the plant? The yellow leaf in the center doesn't look good.

[lil12002]

It actually is within anther plastic container, i just noticed that earlier and couldn't pull it out, i guess i bought it like that.

so what am i looking for in the roots, and once i pull it out do i replant it, are there some instructions on how to do that?

[lil12002]

Originally Posted by BGGraham1

Hi! Just wondering, did you ever repot it? It kind of looks like its in sphagnum moss, and the roots I can see look rotted. Also, when you water, are you careful not to get water in the crown of the plant? The yellow leaf in the center doesn't look good.

I am not careful on how i water it, should i be? this is my first orchid and it cost 4 bucks, but i have grown attached to it...

[bearded orchid]

You've got a Phalaenopsis. In nature they grow facing downward (opposite of how they grow when we have them potted) as such water runs down the leaves and away from the crown (the point where the leaves emerge). When potted facing upwards, the crown becomes a small basin and can potentially catch water when the plant is watered. This is very bad for the plant because it can cause the crown to start rotting and result in the orchid dying. Dunno if you will be able to save this one or not... the crown looks to be in bad shape. I would strongly recommend taking it out of the pot and checking the roots, trimming off any dead, rotted ones, and potting it back up in some fresh mix. Also, pour some Hydrogen Peroxide in the crown and let it set for a bit. Make sure to dry it out with a cotton swab afterwards. Hopefully the plant will be alright. Maybe it will start a basal keiki (new baby plant growth). Just make sure with future Phals to always keep the crown dry when watering.

Good luck. I hope it pulls through for you.

[lil12002]

where can i buy fresh mix? and does the pot i replant it matter in size?

[bearded orchid]

If you have a Lowes anywhere near your area you could check there. They usually have mixes there. Either a bark mix or sphagum moss would work. Or both. If you want additional options, try rePotme.com.