Problems with phalaenopsis orchid - Yellow leaves and blooms dying

[wintergirl]

I would not use ice cubes to water your plants. I have my phals in large bark (clear plastic pot) and I water when the roots have turned silver and the pot feels lighter. Usually it is about every 10 days, sometimes sooner. Here is a thread that may help you...

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

[bil]

Originally Posted by Bonita~flores

I'm fairly new to orchids but I now have 8 plants total, 1 is doing great but the rest are fading fast. The one's I rescued today have been outside in the rain 4 who knows how long, flowers are black but still clinging to the stalk. Roots and most leaves are still green and firm, I've removed them from their soil/wood chip mixure and hung them in the shower to dry. Is there anything else I can/should do 2 ensure their survival? They're all phals if I'm not mistaken and ive heard conflicting stories on how to water them, but the safest out of them all I think would be the ice cube method...any other suggestions would be great.

Thanx

Ice cubes? Much too cold.
Soil/woodchip? Never.

Phals need a very open medium, as they are really meant to be mounted with the roots bare. I would never use anything less than fir bark chunks.

[Bonita~flores]

Thanks for the info, I think I'll water my orchids the same way I water my Christmas cactus. I put it in the sink with warm water and allow the roots/soil to pull in all it needs, then let it drain before putting it back in it's decorative pot. For now I'm playing the wating game to see if they survive

[fudJy23]

Originally Posted by Bonita~flores

Thanks for the info, I think I'll water my orchids the same way I water my Christmas cactus. I put it in the sink with warm water and allow the roots/soil to pull in all it needs, then let it drain before putting it back in it's decorative pot. For now I'm playing the wating game to see if they survive

Funny that you mention that! I was just at my friend's new house doing the pre-move in tour and I saw her Christmas cacti all sitting together. She offered me a cutting and I was hesitant. She told me that she let them dry out first before running water through them and I was like "That's how I water my phals!"

[dbarron]

Given proper media, it should be how you water about anything in active growth. As much as media can hold, let dry to desired dryness, repeat.

Rain in most parts of the world doesn't come by teaspoons, but more like gallons.

[EiramAliehs]

I also happen to have an orchid whose flowers started drooping and leaves turning yellow. I bought it a few weeks ago. Is there any ways I can do to save this orchid? I'm still new, I'm not allowed to post pictures for you to see its condition.

[bil]

Originally Posted by EiramAliehs

I also happen to have an orchid whose flowers started drooping and leaves turning yellow. I bought it a few weeks ago. Is there any ways I can do to save this orchid? I'm still new, I'm not allowed to post pictures for you to see its condition.

answer this, and a couple of others and as soon as you have clocked up 5 answers, I think, you can post pics.

If it's a phal, there's a massive thread in the stickies, and a lot of useful info in this one too.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by EiramAliehs

I also happen to have an orchid whose flowers started drooping and leaves turning yellow. I bought it a few weeks ago. Is there any ways I can do to save this orchid? I'm still new, I'm not allowed to post pictures for you to see its condition.

You may want to check the roots. You may be leaving your plant too moist. Phals need to dry out between watering. The roots are green when they are hydrated, wait until they are silver or white before watering again.

Here is that link about phals:
The Phal abuse ends here.

[jwpotter]

Our orchid society recently had an educational class which was on bringing "Big Box Store" Phals back to life. As a result I now have a number I have "rescued" from a number of stores and they are all doing fine. Biggest factor due to over watering and it is best to immediately re-pot them in good fir bark. One was got was so wet, I let it dry in the air a couple of days before I re-potted it and it is doing great. One thing I have found is that they set the plastic pot in a ceramic decorative pot and keep watering it which just leaves the orchid standing in water.

[estación seca]

Welcome to Orchid Board! We're glad to have you join.

If you reply to other posts and just say Nice that counts as a post. When you have 5 posts you can post photos.