Help my poor little phalenopsis!!!!

[catownes]

Hi everyone, I am very new to orchid growing, and I fear I've already become a murderer! My husband bought me a pretty phal back in October, had lot's of blooms, looked healthy. It bloomed once more after the original flowers dropped off, then looked
like it was growing some new spikes, but the new spikes are turning brown and withering, and the yellowing seems to be tracking down the stem towards the leaves further each day. It's potted in bark in a small plastic pot inside a clay pot. The leaves are still a nice rich green, and not really withered at all. What should I do?

[ChasWG]

Cut the whithering spikes way back. Make sure you are not overwatering it. Maybe even check out the roots and see what's going on down there. Strong roots are the key to a strong, healthy plant. If the bark is very dark and wet or smells funny, dump it and get some new bark mix. You'll soon have a happy, healthy plant that will send up new spikes and new flowers! Good luck!

[ChasWG]

Also, if you can post pictures of your baby we can see what's going on a lot better.

[catownes]

Thanks so much! As soon as I get a new camera I'll post some pics

[phearamedusa]

Hi Catownes,

Welcome to the OB. It would help if you could post a picture of your plant. Without actually seeing the plant it becomes a guessing game or twenty questions type deal.
So that being said, how often do you water your orchid? Do you leave it sitting in water, or do you drain the run off out of the clay pot. The yellowing is just on the spike, it may just be natural die back, or bud blast. Have you moved it, or has the temps changed in the house recently? Is the plastic pot clear, can you see the roots in the pot, how do they look? How much light is it getting? How often do you add fertilizer to it?
Sorry for the long reply, but I did warn you. If you can post the pictures, and answer the questions above, we can probably help.

[phearamedusa]

Sorry, ChasWG posted while I was busy typing that essay..lol.

[ChasWG]

No biggie, we're all just trying to help.
You added some things I didn't!

[catownes]

Thanks so much for the help all....I think you may have saved my poor little plant
I cut the withered bits back, changed my mix, and it looks fantastic!! The withering stopped, the leaves are back to a nice green, and not too floppy, and it looks like there's a bud coming up......had to trim off some pretty sad looking roots, and the bark was indeed rotted, but I thinks this will be a success story. As soon as my camera is going I'll post some pics of the grateful little devil

[K.Veren]

Hi all, I'm new here but also have a mini phalaenopsis that might need a little saving.
My brother bought it for me a week ago and it currently has two beautiful healthy-looking blooms and the spikes have a number of developing buds. Right after I got it, the largest bud started opening, but now it seems to have frozen in a half-open position and the stem attached to the spike appears to be turning brown and withering away and I'm afraid I've damaged it somehow.
Is this anything to worry about/ is there any way I can save my new beauty?

[Zoi2]

Hello K. Veren and welcome to the Orchid Board.
What is your phal planted in and how often are you watering it? Any chance you can post a picture?
Joann