Introducing myself with a beginner question Re: rescuing my orchid

[radha]

Hi All,

I'm new the forum, new to orchids, and frankly new to gardening...but want to learn.

I received an orchid as graduation present about a year ago. It was thriving with minimum attention (a little watering once a week) and was blooming on one spike beautifully. Recently (~1.5 months ago) one of its leaves started to flop, and yellow. The plant put out another spike and started to bloom. Suddenly, the stopped blooming and now the other leaf has flopped and is starting to yellow. It is clear to me that in my ignorance, I've missed all the early cues that this plant was in trouble. Is there anything I can do to rescue this beauty?

[gmdiaz]

Hello & Welcome!

What sort of orchid do you have? Can you provide photos?

[philoserenus]

heyhey, welcome =) ya, pictures are nice ^^ and a floppying and yellowing leaf dun necessarily mean something bad. all plants eventually lose their old leafs b/c its done itz job. nothing lasts forever, haha (although some flowers appear to, haha)

[Florida_guy_26]

Hi Radha, I am new on here but I might be able to help you out with this. If you check the potting medium to make sure it has not broken down that will let you know how often to water and if you need to replace the old medium. I would water less frequently if the leaves are yellowing because that could be a sign the roots are rotting in broken down old medium or that a possible fungus is already attacking your plant. If all those things seem to be in check and nothing to worry about, then maybe the plant is just losing its leaves naturally as it could be going into dormancy, or just has exhausted the energy stores and nutrients in those leaves.

[quiltergal]

Hi Radha, welcome to OB! As Gwen mentioned a picture will really help us diagnose your plant's problem. Otherwise we'll just be guessing.

My guess is you've got some root rot going on, and that the new spike is a stress bloom. If that's the case repotting in fresh medium is in order.....sooner rather than later.

[Gin]

Welcome to OB nice to meet you .. Gin

[justatypn]

Aboard...great to have you within our community. So much information here and the friendliest members you will ever meet.

It will be very hard to tell what is goin' on with your orchid without a name/.

The above information is going in the right direction. A few other things you might want to keep in mind when growing orchids...light is very important, fertilizer (weak weekly=as directed on the label cut formula in 1/2 watering every week) nice humidity level, I grow indoors and my level stays around 55-66%, air circulation is extremely important.

I would no matter what type of orchid check the roots, if they are brown, mushy, and or stringy cut them off keeping the white/green followed by new orchid medium. Soak the medium prior to repotting, might I also add to soak the medium for about 1/2 hour (I soak mine with a root stimulator.

Sounds to me your orchid is showing signs of being tired with putting out "the new spike" which can also cause floppy leaves.

Hopefully we can get a to give you solid causes to effectively help your orchid.