Phalaenopsis Orchid-floppy leaves and dried roots

[New2Orchids2020]

Hi may I please have some help with my phalaenopsis orchid? I am new to this. The one pictured is one I received for my birthday from my sister this year at the beginning of September. It was in bloom and remained in bloom for about a month or two. I let the spike remain until it turned brown and then I cut it off.

I researched orchids as I cared for it.
I tried spritzing it with water daily and then later I learned that you're not supposed to get the leaves or crown or flowers wet. I tried dribbling 1/4 cup of water onto the roots once a week. I believe I underwatered it in the early days, because I was scared to over water it.

Later I learned that you are supposed to only water the roots. So I placed the whole container in a larger container and filled it up. I let it sit for a few minutes then I drained all of the water out. Then I fertilized it with a 1/4 of the strength of what the orchid food said to administer from a gallon of water. I poured that through and drained it all out without letting it sit. I watered it first then fertilized it because everything I read online said that you could burn the roots if you fertilized it before watering it. I have done that once a week over the past two weeks.

Then I learned that you should water the orchid as needed. This one dries out frequently based on the silvery white roots and yet at the same time some of the roots have turned brown as though they did not like being drenched.

As you can see from the picture the leaves are beginning to get a bit floppy. I repotted it November 1, 2020. It is in an orchid bark medium. Help! I want my orchid to flourish.

[SouthPark]

I do similar for fertilising ---- one quarter to one third packet-recommended strength, and I do that just once-a-month.

Take a look at this link here ----- which shows that it's not necessary to just water the roots of the phalaenopsis.

For tropical conditions, we can use anything like rocks or pebbles etc. As long as the orchid gets enough light and enough duration of light each day, and as long as the temperature is nice and warm - so that the roots don't get cold and watery for long amounts of time, and if we avoid still-air environments (ie. have some gentle air-flow nearly all the time), and if we avoid drowning of roots - then that gives the orchid a great chance to do well for very long times.

In the pics at the link ----- notice the pots sit on drainage grates, which keeps the bottom of the pot above any drained water. And while it can't be seen ------ the pots have good size drainage holes, and a good number of holes ----- down at the bottom of the pot. They're just regular plastic garden pot-plant pots.

For the phalaenopsis orchids, and other orchids that I grow ------ I generally apply water into the media toward the OUTER regions of the pot, which gives some breathing room for orchid roots, but also allows roots to get moisture/water without drowning anything.

I think your set-up looks ok. Just don't allow the bark to become super wet and super cold. Maintain a nice growing temperature. And if the light level is a bit low ----- then consider providing a little bit more light ---- and more duration of light per day.

[New2Orchids2020]

Ok. Should I trim those brown roots or leave them?

[estación seca]

It looks pretty good. You're just not watering often enough. The leaves should be shiny and smooth. Roots in the air in low humidity homes often die back.

There is s good thread here about learning to grow Phalaenolpsis orchids. From the left yellow menu select Forums then Beginners. Look near the top for the sticky thread The Phal abuse stops here.

[New2Orchids2020]

Originally Posted by estación seca

It looks pretty good. You're just not watering often enough. The leaves should be shiny and smooth. Roots in the air in low humidity homes often die back.

There is s good thread here about learning to grow Phalaenolpsis orchids. From the left yellow menu select Forums then Beginners. Look near the top for the sticky thread The Phal abuse stops here.

Ok. Should I trim those brown roots or leave them?

[estación seca]

I advise people never to trim orchid roots. You can't tell which are alive and which are dead.

[New2Orchids2020]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I advise people never to trim orchid roots. You can't tell which are alive and which are dead.

Ok
Thank you.
The tip about the aerial roots dying back due to a lack of humidity was especially helpful! Thank you.
:-D