New to Orchid Board/Problem

[Becca]

Hi Samantha! First you need to get that last remaining leaf uncovered from the potting soil. Did you repot it in the potting soil or did it come this way? Phals won't grow in this, it will stay to moist and suffocate the roots. The roots were/are probably rotting or rotted because of this and that is why the leaves have been dying off on you. But you can't see this happening in the soil so naturally you think it isn't getting enough water (and with rotted roots it isn't) so like you said you started watering it more, unfortunately that was probably the worst thing to do. I would say take it out of the potting soil and see if there are any good roots left remaining. And if you can find some good orchid potting medium to have soaking about 24 hours before doing this so you can then transfer it then that would be good. You'll also need to cut off any dead, brown mushy feeling roots. If the root is brown but feels firm that it is ok to leave it. Also, you'll need a much smaller pot for it, as over potting an orchid can lead to root rot as well if the potting medium is holding to much moisture. Can you find a small 3 inch pot? An unglazed clay pot would be good, but a clear plastic pot would allow you to see root activity. I think I'm leaving a bunch of stuff out, but you have gotten a lot of good advice from others on here. Feel free to ask more questions and we'll write you another book

Welcome to the Orchid Board! We are glad you have joined our family! I gotta get back to watering my collection before it gets any later!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Wow...

Those roots are gone.

I'd get that out of potting soil asap and check on the roots anyways.

Phalaenopsis grow on trees. That's why I posted the link to the pictures of Phals growing in the wild. They were supposed to be proof positive of how they really grow in the wild.

Here they are again:

Phalaenopsis in situ - Flickr: Search

Here's one I picked out so you can immediately see how they grow:

Healthy phal on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

There's not a single species of Phalaenopsis that is currently known to science that are true terrestrials that grow in soil. Which means, the many species that make up your complex hybrid are 100% guaranteed to not be terrestrial. That's because science hasn't found any yet.

Should they be true terrestrials - I'll eat my shorts!

[trdyl]

Welcome to OB!

As Becca and King said it needs to come out right away. Do be suprized if there are no living roots. Even if there aren't any, it can come back. Not wanting to confuse you more options, but one of the easiest ways if there are no living roots is water culture. If there are living roots I would go with a bark mix. With growing orchids there are so many viable options. You just have to go with what works for you in your situation.

[Matilda]

Don't give up! We can help you with this.

I second the idea of water culture. I plopped a couple rootless dendobriums in water, a week or so ago, and already new roots are growing.

For now, take it out of the pot, rinse off the roots and take inventory. Cut off any mushy roots. If that's all of them, that's ok. We can go from there.