Orchid has been overwatered.

[bobbib]

Hello everyone....just wondering.....I was away for a week, and my husband was taking care of the house, plants, etc. When I came home, I noticed that my Orchid was looking a little 'brown'. It hasn't got any blooms on it (they are finished now), but the leaves are brownish and a few have fell off. I felt the ground, and it is very wet. Is there any way to save this poor plant.

Thanks.

Bobbi

[Ross]

First off, get another care-taker Second, just dry it back down and see what happens. It may lose another leaf or two, but that should slow down. As an example, I purchased two new Draculas (famous for not liking minerals in their water) and proceeded to water like the other orchids. Each plant proceeded to drop leaves, like 2-3 per day, till I realized it was the fertilizer. Once I changed to straight RO water, the leaves started coming back, the dropping quit, and I think they may be happier than before. The same may be true about wetness as well.

[Sandy4453]

Hi Bobbi. What kind of orchid is this and what part has turned brown or, was it just the leaves that turned brown?

[CoolPhrog]

I was wondering the same thing, Sandy! LOL

[lambelkip]

i'm wondering that too - and why the smiley face?

[bobbib]

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

Hi Bobbi. What kind of orchid is this and what part has turned brown or, was it just the leaves that turned brown?

Hi Sandy....thanks for responding.....the orchid starts with a "P". A very common one.....not exotic at all. I am very new to orchids, as you can probably tell. The leaves went brown. I took the plastic tub out of the clay pot to let it dry out. Anything else I can do. It looks like it may need to be repotted, but I am afraid to do that, and have no idea what to use for potting soil. I have had this orchid for 2 years, and it has bloomed twice so far. I sure don't want to lose it.

thanks.

bobbi

[Cym Ladye]

Bobbi,

Without seeing a photo but knowing this occurred within a week's period of time to what I am guessing is a Phalaenopsis or moth orchid, I suspect you are experiencing crown rot. This occurs when water stands in the crown of the plant too long and rot occurs. It is usually a death sentence but I have heard of saving a plant, if caught early enough, with cinnamon applied to the crown. Sometimes in time, a new growth may come off the original crown's root.

My recommendation is cut down watering drastically, put plant in a well draining situation and wait it out a while. Meanwhile, find a new, healthy "baby" to love and enjoy as the chances of recovery from crown rot are few.

Most of us have all learned the hard way when losing plants. This may be a first for you.

CL

[priz_m]

Hi Bobbi, welcome to the OB, assuming it is crown rot you are facing you can read this link Example of Stem rot or Crown rot in Phalaenopsis
it is a story on a phal facing crown rot and what it was done to stop it.

Hopefully your phal will recover soon. Hope this helps.

best of luck!