Please help my dying orchids!!

[Junebug]

Did you cut off the bloom spike after the flowers expired? If not, you should. Doing so will allow the plant to focus on growth. Also, when watering, avoid getting water on the leaves near the crown. If they should get wet, you can wick out the water with a paper towel, or tilt the plant for a few minutes so the water has a chance to run off. Good luck.

[Spider]

Hello I hope I can help. I have always had my Phalaenopsis indoors, they do not need so much light. I guess that it is very varm in the summer in Texas, and then they need more water. They also like high humidity. You must give more information about how you care for the plant and preferable a picture of the plant.

[angel415]

I'm VERY sorry about the late reply everybody....I finally took the pics of the messed up phal. Its been getting dryer and dryer as the days go by. Its last baby leaf rotted and came off. It was squishy and I could practically see through it.

An orchid cant survive without any leaves right? Is there ANY WAY to save it at all? Personally, I think its impossible...




Sadly, I don't have the before pics....which were very beautiful. I'm very saddened it has come to this. I appreciate all help and tips. I guess growing and caring for orchids is not for me.

[angel415]

Originally Posted by Spider

Hello I hope I can help. I have always had my Phalaenopsis indoors, they do not need so much light. I guess that it is very varm in the summer in Texas, and then they need more water. They also like high humidity. You must give more information about how you care for the plant and preferable a picture of the plant.

Well, I don't really have a place to put them indoors. I have a lil girl that is at the age where she just HAS to touch Everything. I try to stick them outside in the shade but its too hot. In the summers, its 95 degress+. WAYY Hot!! I like to spray them since there's not much humidity, and if there is, its just TOO hot. We did get a lot of rain from the tropical storm that came by a couple of days ago (i stuck the plants outside to soak up some of the water.) Does it look like the plant is hopeless?? Do I need a smaller pot? HELP!!

[Swamper]

I'm the most optimist person I know but...You wouldn't like to try and buy a new one? Just because this one is dying doesn't mean orchids are not for you. Everyone in this board has probably had at least one orchid die on them. Everyone outside of this board too, probably more.Anyway.. I hope you don't give up on orchids and try again.

[Cookiemonster]

Hello... Dont be sad, but yes it looks like its spent and done.. without leaves its really miracle work to get it up and going again... sorry
I killed my first few orchids- and someone once told me unless you've killed one, you've never really grown orchids
Just get another one and learn, maybe try a different type like cattleya or dendrobium- I think most importantly, arm yourself with necessary supplies so if they're not readily available your not waiting for them to come! First sign of a problem, I've learned to react fast !

[Lorraine]

Angel, sorry you lost you Phal Don't give up. If your little one wants to touch everything wait till she is a little older buy one and then make it a big deal so she can look at the pretty flowers too. Meanwhile get on the internet and arm yourself with lots of information about all the different types of orchids available to grow in your area. See if there is a Orchid Society close by. You can learn alot from them.

[JennS]

I agree that you should not give up. I could not view the picture, but it is very hard to revive a Phal with no leaves. I had one that was revived because it had one leaf left, but now a couple years later it still only has 4 or 5 leaves, but nice roots, finally! You could try to salvage it, but would need to bring it inside to do that. Could you place it on top of the fridge (not sure if it gets too hot up there though) or some other out of reach place, perhaps a kitchen conter near a window? If you do want to try this, just let us know and you can be walked through the spag-n-bag techinque. However, that may not work either, and it may just be best to start over. Perhaps determine what type of orchid has needs similar to your climate and time to spend on it. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

[angel415]

Thank you everybody for taking the time to help me out. Once again, I'm really bummed out about my once beautiful orchid. I still have one left which is doing awesome (no flowers though). I hope it will bloom once again so I can take pics of the beauty I helped create......Thank you all for the encouragement. I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!!

[PJG]

Angel,

Hey I'm really new to this "stuff", and I can say I'm enjoying the help for my questions and for the forum responding to me (in general) about personal stuff.

I think people who care about animals and plants are the nicest people you can meet. Even if you don't have either.
This is a friendly board, and maybe some day I'll be able to give advice to you as others have done to me/us.

I have 5 plants, and I think I'm about to lose 1. But I'm going to hang in there just as you, sound like you're going to do.

Enjoy,

Peter