bloom turned brown

[dragom]

Here is what it looked like a couple of days ago

But now it is all brown I think I know why but just wanted to check and make sure. When I picked it up there was water still in a plate and not just a little. I must have not let it drain enough before I put i back in the window. How can avoid it in the future was it the water sitting in it bottom of the dish the problem. I am too embarrassed to show a picture of it now but believe me it is a dark brown and I threw the blooms out. If I am wrong please correct me.

[unhappykat]

sounds like it was just time for the flower to die, did you recently purchase it or did you bring it into bloom yourself. If it was purchased it may have just been stressed and dropped its flower. You should never keep an orchid sitting in water of any kind, with a very few exceptions, as this can cause roots to rot and the plant to drop dead. If you can repot it in fresh bark and be sure to allow it to dry out between each watering and it will be fine. it was a cute flower.

[cb977]

Originally Posted by dragom

Here is what it looked like a couple of days ago

But now it is all brown I think I know why but just wanted to check and make sure. When I picked it up there was water still in a plate and not just a little. I must have not let it drain enough before I put i back in the window. How can avoid it in the future was it the water sitting in it bottom of the dish the problem. I am too embarrassed to show a picture of it now but believe me it is a dark brown and I threw the blooms out. If I am wrong please correct me.

Hi

We're always told that our chids should never sit in water but mine sit in water all the time and it hasn't caused a problem. It was probably just time for the bloom to die off. Are the leaves looking different? If they are looking mushy, there might be a problem but if they're fine, then I think the plant will be fine...you'll just have to wait for it's next bloom cycle

[Ross]

I tend to agree with all the above. I would add, that whenever you get a new orchid home (well, most of the time, anyways) it will sulk and often drop blossoms. Look at it this way: You got to see what the blossom looks like, with proper care you will get more blossoms next year, and you got a plant you were happy with. As Sue said, watch the leaves and pseudobulbs for browning. That could be rot. Also think about repotting soon to assess the qulity of the roots. Happy growing!

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by cb977

We're always told that our chids should never sit in water but mine sit in water all the time and it hasn't caused a problem.

Same here. I usually make sure it's not for too long but it's not unheard of for mine to have sat in water 24hours, once I even found one three days later with water still in the bottom. If it happens I just keep an eye on the roots through the clear pots I favour and make sure it is properly dried before I next water again.

[dragom]

I had gotten it from a friend a while back and then it looked like it might bloom in a while. I repotted it so maybe that did it. The leaves still look good on it so I guess I will just have to wait till the next bloom. And you are right at least I got to see what the next will look like.