worried about my phal
 

Hi all, I am a new member of this board. I am heartbroken because my orchid is changing on me! I bought this Phal at Home Depot for 3.00 around April and it has made such a comeback for the past 8 months. It has grown beautifully and has many blooms and even new buds! I keep it in a sunny window and I rotate it every now and then. I keep the moss just a little moist and it seemed happy. Now for the past week or so I am noticing that the flowers on it are starting to shrivel. They all bloomed, but most of them never even opened- except for one. Should I repot this plant? Is it time for them to just fall off? I don't know- this is the first orchid I have ever owned. I love it and I am proud of it for making such a beautiful comeback. I have to save it! Help! Thanks

Do you have a photo? It always help to be able to see what the plant looks like.
Other than that, there are many other highly experienced people that will be around soon to help

Hi, and welcome to our great forum!
You mentioned that you have your phal in a sunny window. The sun may be too bright/hot for the new buds/blooms. I don't know where you are in the US but if you are in the warm regions this could be too hot for them. They like to be warm, and out of direct sunlight. I would have a look at the roots to see if they are green and plump before repotting....if you have a picture that would help greatly. Also, once the buds start to form you should never turn the pot, as it weakens the buds that want to keep turning toward the light.

pictures tell the story...post pictures! a sudden draft can cause the flowers to blast, or shivel and fall....or it could be in a cold corner...phals like warmth...or there could be a problem with the roots, pop the plant out of the pot and check the roots, they should be plump and green/white...

I was just re-examining my orchid and I think it is shriveled because the flowers are all done. There are new buds on the plant and I think I must let them fall off, let the stalk dry up and then I will think about re-potting soon.

Thanks, Helen! I live in Massachusetts where it is about 20 degrees right now. now that I am re-examining my plant, I think maybe the flowers are drying up because they are done blooming? There are a few new healthy looking buds on a new stalk that grew. Thanks so much for getting back to me. I feel like I saved this plant because it was almost dead when I bought it. I knew I got a great deal because these plants are so beautiful and so self-fulfilling for the novice gardener!

It could be some as easy as not getting enough water when in bloom.
You're phal is in sphag moss? Its might be time for a repotting - with moss it should be done before 1 year (IMHO) :)
Phals can take some direct sunlight - depending on the time of day. I have some of mine facing south but I'm in Canada, and this time of year the sunlight really isn't that strong yet. I check the leaves for heat - if they are warm I leave be, If they are hot, they're moved or the curtain gets closed off.
A sheer curtain would provide some kinda filter from the harmful rays.

Knowing the conditions of the roots and A photo would be most helpful :)

This statement confuses me a little. Are you saying the spike produced buds but that they never opened? If that is the case I would first check the roots to make sure they are sound. As Gloria says sphag has a relatively short life. Has this plant ever been repotted?

Do post pictures if possible. It definitely helps with the diagnosis. :)

It is also possible that since you live in Massachusetts the cold from the window could have chilled the buds causing them to blast or drop off. Be sure the plant is not chilled at night.

Hi, I concure with Helen. Here in Ontario I am almost at you're latitude and a sunny window will be too hot for phals even in winter. My conservatory faces south west and over heats on sunny days during the winter. The phals and my wife"s retired bereeding Rosicolis are protected by a movable 40 percent shade cloth. D-D-