Please help my dying orchids!!

[angel415]

Hey everyone!
I would really appreciate a good 10 minutes of your time.

In April, I got a really BEAUTIFUL phalaenopsis for my birthday. It was HUGE! It had four stems, each having about 5-10 bulbs/flowers. I thought to myself - it just can't be one gigantic orchid, so I took the massive plant out of the pot. To my surprise, it was two!
I was really excited to have gotten two for the price of one so I repotted them separately (they were crammed in their tiny pot).

As the summers gone by, they just seem to get worse and worse. They don't flower anymore. Some of the leaves came off....some actually got a tiny bit of black on them and kinda dried up. I'm noticing that one of the stems looks like its slowly drying up. What did I do wrong? How can I correct this? I live in south Texas, and I know I can't leave them outside long. Thus, they get no adequate light. What kind of bulbs can I use? I can't bare to watch them die like that, and plus - they were a Very special gift. Some one please help me...for the sake of all orchids.

I REALLY appreciate your time spent. I hope you can help.

[Julia]

I am only a newbie so can't help much but it's definitely normal for phalaenopsis to stop blooming in the summer. I would cut off all spikes, put them by a nice bright window not in direct sunlight and start adding a little growth fertilizer to the water. Could you post some pics of the black spots on leaves?

[Swamper]

What's your watering schedule like? Maybe getting too much water? Not enough. They like shade. If they are indoors they are probably ok as far as that goes. A pic is really the best way anyone here is going to help you, otherwise its a thousand questions or it will seem like it.

[caseydoll]

Welcome to OB! I agree with everyone, maybe some pics and a little more info will help. In addition to what others have asked I wonder what kind of light do you have them in now? If you have a east or northeast window they would be fine there. But they definitely won't flower without a good enough light source. If only a bottom leaf or two are dying that is normal. As phals get new leaves at the top they sometimes shed the bottom leaves. In addition to how often you water, what do you have them potted in?

[Ross]

Actually a photo or two would help a lot here. Lots of things could be part of the problems. Phals can take really high light. I have mine in a south window where they get direct sun (when it shines ) but they are behind window screens so they get maybe 75% of direct sun. On top of that, they have strong compact florescent bulbes over them to supplement the light. I like to see a bit of red tinge on the edges of the leaves to tell me I am pushing it a bit.

The others have spoken about root problems. I find I need to keep my Phals a bit dry. I like the clear pots to let me see the condion of the medium prior to watering.

[tim abbott]

Hi Angel415,

I saw you replied on another thread that you repotted your phal in sphagnum moss, I think that a bark medium would work better, The moss could be retaining to much moisture for the roots.

There should be good drainage & plenty of holes for air movement around the roots

I live in Cocoa Beach, Fla & I keep mine outside under a tree where they get lots of diffused indirect light & air movement & any water goes right through & drains out.

They are pretty resilient if you can identify the problem & give them a happy environment.

Good luck.

Tim Abbott

[angel415]

Originally Posted by caseydoll

Welcome to OB! I agree with everyone, maybe some pics and a little more info will help. In addition to what others have asked I wonder what kind of light do you have them in now? If you have a east or northeast window they would be fine there. But they definitely won't flower without a good enough light source. If only a bottom leaf or two are dying that is normal. As phals get new leaves at the top they sometimes shed the bottom leaves. In addition to how often you water, what do you have them potted in?

Well, I actually stuck them outside in the shade. It did shed the bottom leaves, but also the top....I can't take pics of the top leaves anymore cause they've already fallen and have disappeared from my balcony. I water them like once a week. Is that too little?

[angel415]

Originally Posted by tim abbott

Hi Angel415,

I saw you replied on another thread that you repotted your phal in sphagnum moss, I think that a bark medium would work better, The moss could be retaining to much moisture for the roots.

There should be good drainage & plenty of holes for air movement around the roots

I live in Cocoa Beach, Fla & I keep mine outside under a tree where they get lots of diffused indirect light & air movement & any water goes right through & drains out.

They are pretty resilient if you can identify the problem & give them a happy environment.

Good luck.

Tim Abbott

Thanks for the advice. I DID re pot them in sphagnum moss, but also did the bark with the rocks n stuff. I didn't do it all the way moss cause I didn't want the plants to drown. I would love to keep my chids outside in the sunlight, but Texas is harsh - the temp gets up to 100 some days. I did that to an orchid i had before, and the whole leaf turned black. I do check for moisture and make sure not to water too much. Is it possible for it to survive somehow without any soil at all?...just having the roots completely exposed. Would it die?

[Swamper]

If you're growing them on sphagnum moss and it's drying out right away then once a week is not enough. Mine have some moss but enough to hold moisture so I only have to water it once a week. The ones outside attached to the tree with no medium get watered every day unless it rains. I only soak the roots with the hose. Take pics, no matter what it looks like.
The tree mounts are in the shade.

[angel415]

I think I have before and after pics....you won't be able to recognize them. I'll post them really soon and I hope they help!