Dying orchid - please help! - Orchid Board

namford · #1 03-13-2012, 07:17 PM

Hi all

I am a beginner and this is my problem:

Bought an orchid (regular looking sort) that had 2 stems of good flowers. The flowers lasted for a few months, it even grew more flowers and a new stem. then, no idea what changed but all the flowers dropped off and the stems began to shrivel, so cut them all back. Now the air-roots are all dried up and I think even the roots inside the pot are almost dried (I am watering every 10 days and feeding every 2-3 feeds). The pot is clear with holes at bottom. I let the bark dry out before re-watering.

Now, the leaves are turning purple too. Please help me rescue this little dude, or is it too late?

The orchid sits on my kitchen window sill. I live in London, UK. I've had it about 6 months now.

Any help gratefully received! Many thanks

The Mutant · #2 03-13-2012, 07:19 PM

I think pictures would be a great help.

Oh, and welcome to OB!

Does your orchid get direct sunlight?

namford · #3 03-13-2012, 07:34 PM

Hi and thank you for your friendly reply!

4 pics attached - hope they help! The orchid is on the window sill, so gets plenty of day light but no direct sun light. Do they need direct sun?

Thank you!

namford · #4 03-13-2012, 07:39 PM

The Mutant · #5 03-13-2012, 07:40 PM

It depends on which genera it belongs to whether it likes direct sunlight or not, but I wouldn't be surprised if you have a Phalaenopsis and they don't like that (but indirect and daylight are good for them). I'm a newbie so I can't give you that much of a help, but don't worry, the more experienced ones will soon come along to aid you.

Oh dear. Such a hard question... I never have any problem with my photos, but why they are the correct size, I don't know. Have you tried going into the advanced mode and used the "Manage Attachments" option?

The Mutant · #6 03-13-2012, 07:46 PM

Ah, I see...

Hmm... I'll hazard a guess and then hopefully some more knowledgeable people will chime in. It looks to my inexperienced eyes like it gets too much light... Which seems strange since you said it doesn't get any direct sunlight.

If this is the case, maybe you should move it to an east or west facing window.

But wait until someone else has said something about your Phal (see, I was right

), since I'm just a newbie myself.

calypsoB · #7 03-14-2012, 12:27 AM

What colours were the flowers? It does look as though something is going on. Did you leave any water in the leaves? Is there any wrinkling of the leaves? How is your humidity? I have noticed around my area we have gone through a dry spell (humidity) but I guess it depends on your area

rangiku · #8 03-14-2012, 01:47 AM

Your plant has nice green roots, and firm leaves; both are good signs. Did your plant have red or purple flowers Your leaves may be normal colored if so.

Unless you live in a very humid location, you may have to water more often. Put a toothpick or a wooden skewer for kabobs in your pot near the middle of the pot. Check it every day or so and when it close to slightly damp, water your plant. Make sure you aren't giving it too much fertilizer, but you can give it a low concentration each time you water. Do you know what the first number in the 3 number combo is or can you tell us? We can use that number to determine the proper amount of fertilizer.

namford · #9 03-14-2012, 03:43 AM

Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for your kind replies, I will do my best to answer all the questions.

It's on a north-east facing window, definitely not direct sunlight. The flowers were white with yellow centre. Although the roots look green, they are thin and shrivelled not the thick juicy roots it used to have :-( I think the green may in fact just be sort of mini moss on the outside of the root, difficult to tell.

The leaves at the bottom are one by one turning yellow, shrivelling & dropping off. The leaves at the top are still firm, but are purplish.

I live in London, UK, we're not a humid place but the orchid is in the kitchen so gets warmth from the boiler and oven, although since I work long hours, neither appliance is on all day.

Lastly, I bought some special liquid orchid food & am feeding per the instructions. Not sure about that 3 number you ask about?

Hope this info helps complete the picture & you can advise what I need to do to save this little guy! Thank you!!!

Discus · #10 03-14-2012, 04:15 AM

re: the fertiliser, somewhere on the bottle it will have 3 numbers in a row, like 20-20-20 or something like that, referring to the ratio of N-P-K (the three main plant "foods").

You are right, the roots do look a little sad. You can try to make them a bit happier by spritzing them once or twice a day (preferably in the morning) with a misting bottle, but not so much that you make the bark overly damp.

When you water it, do you just pour the water through the pot or leave it to soak in a small container for 10-15 minutes?