Please help me save my orchid

[iris]

Hi everyone!

I was really hoping that you could help me!

This is my lovely orchid but I am afraid that it looks like it's not going to make it and I don't know why...



I bought it about 5 weeks ago and until Friday 16th March it looked great, had so many new flowers and I was very very happy with it. On Friday I noticed that the top flowers started to look miserable and ready to fall off. Then I remembered I hadn't watered it for that week so I added some water but forgot to remove the second pot so I left it with extra water in (I know, not good!).

Today I noticed that the lower flowers started to look the same as the top ones and I am now very worried that I have done something wrong.

From what's happened here are two things that could have gone wrong:

1. From the day I bought it it was placed on a table in a place with good- but not direct- light, but last week I had to move that table so I moved the orchid to a place with not such a good light. It stayed there for almost a week - after 5 days being there the top flowers went miserable - I moved it directly back and made sure the light was OK but then it happened to the lower flowers too.

2. I hadn't watered it in more than a week ( I usually water it every Saturday morning, I add less than two bottle screw cups each time) and when I did water it on Friday I guess that any extra water stayed in the second pot...

I have tried to check the roots to see if they are dry or not and they seem dry to me at the moment.

Please, can you help me? I'm not sure if I need to cut the flowers off, water it or not... do something else.... is it possible that it hasn't survived the move?

any help is very appreciated

thank you very much in advance

iris

[Voyagenation]

Hi Iris, if the roots are dry enough then it may not be the water. Inspect the plant more carefully, as I suspect an insect may have gotten into the plant. I had a Phal which was robust with flowers and suddenly the flowers started to wilt. After careful examination there was a medium size cockroach in the plant which may have been disturbing the system for its flowers the prematurely drop. The leaves are also drooping in contrast to a healthy Phal. which will have its leaves upright.

Also, try taking out the plant from the plastic pot and see if the roots are wet in the center as the medium (are they wood chips) may have stayed wet at the inner part of the roots.

You may also have to cut the stem, so as to let the plant focus on healing as you do the above.

[opaline]

hi iris, the view through the plastic pot indicates a healthy root system with the silvery grey spongy tissue - velamen becoming ready to exploit further doses of water. The apple shiny green is a root that is sufficiently hydrated and as a good kiss and tell, green will revert back to silver grey status. Always allow green to change back to spongy silver grey. A very useful tool for care, health and a watering indicator. have your roots rotted and detached from plant itself.Rotten rotting roots are mushy squishy and with a tug reveal a very thin white wire like form.Useless now a it provides no function.. Roots should join the phal at the leaf joints, bracts either side. You can observe a central main spine as it grows where new leaves commence from crown. Phals use leaves as a water reserve as it has no pseudo bulbs, canes, swollen stems) and these should be plump and firm, not wrinkled and limp.

Simply maybe just environmental change triggering shock to its ambience and has aborted bio processes as in spike and bloom. Most orchids require acclimatising period of undetermined time length. Light, heat and fluctuations of many contributing factors delivered in care. Bud Blast is term given to sudden shrivel and drop. Mine have done it in first 3 or so days. Remove spike and cut 3 nodes (bumps on stem) up from base. If roots leaves are ok after inspection your phal is sulking but functioning leaves roots could provide you with a second chance for a new spike.(from node/s)

Possible not enough water, phals require high humidity. You will need to discuss an appropriate water regime with your phal. A compromise!

The hierarchy in your home has now changed. Phal is boss and will play mental mind games with you. In the end if you dont give in to its needs itll turn its leaves yellow and throw them to the ground or will simply stubbornly refuse to bloom toying with your emotions. They give you ample time and chances though!

[tucker85]

your orchid looks good to me. Fading flowers are normal, they won't last forever. When the roots are white, as in the photo, it should be watered.

[Voyagenation]

your orchid looks good to me. Fading flowers are normal, they won't last forever. When the roots are white, as in the photo, it should be watered.

hi tucker, my only concern about that photo is that there is one bud that did not open but will now drop alomg with the fading flowers. Is that normal too? And if the flowers start to wilt, would the leaves wilt too? Usually the leaves don't wilt, right?

[tucker85]

The flower wilting and the bud failing to open can be caused by the fact that the orchids environment changed when you brought it home. That's normal for an orchid under stress because of a change. I've also noticed on phals that buds will fail to open if the plant is kept too dry for too long. When you water it, put it in the sink and run plenty of water through the medium to get it good and wet. Then wait until it's almost dry before watering agai.