Help me save my Valentine Day orchid!

[glass_05]

I bought this beautiful plant on Monday. It is about 2 feet tall including base. After just one day of having the plant the petals are getting green spots and it seems decaying. Some petals are also really soft, not firm how they were when I got it. I haven't watered it yet because the soil is still rather damp. I have it in my window all during the day, however since I am in Iowa and it's winter there is a constant over cast and the flower has yet to see the sun.

Here is what I am working with right now. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to have to throw away this $40 plant before my girlfriend can even see it, and I want to give her a healthy plant. Thanks again.

[Ranchnanny]

Hi There and welcome to the OB....
Looks like your Phal is potted in moss that is why its so wet. As soon as you can repot it in a Phal type bark. Phal's don't like to be that wet. Eventually the roots will rot. I just repotted one of my new purchases this morning that was in moss. I hadn't water it for over a month and the moss was still very very wet. Once you pull all of the moss off check the roots for mushy black ones and remove them. Then repot in bark medium.
Good Luck.
Sheridan

[glass_05]

Ranchnanny,
Thank you for the quick reply. I pulled up some of the moss and the top roots are rotting I can tell. I will go look for something to replant it in right away. Thank you.

[glass_05]

I quick went to the store already and bought orchid bark. I couldn't believe that the orchid was only planted in moss and nothing else. I cleaned the roots off of the moss and trimmed the bad ones. My repot job wasn't pretty but I have the plant in the bark now. Hopefully its health turns around.
Thanks again

[Becca]

Originally Posted by glass_05

I quick went to the store already and bought orchid bark. I couldn't believe that the orchid was only planted in moss and nothing else. I cleaned the roots off of the moss and trimmed the bad ones. My repot job wasn't pretty but I have the plant in the bark now. Hopefully its health turns around.
Thanks again

Hi and welcome to the OB! I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but when you repotted your orchid into it's new medium, did you soak it first? Usually a 24 hour soak is needed to sort of prime the bark to be able to hold moisture. Also, I have several orchids in moss....I've killed some using it and others are fine. I usually don't use just straight moss anymore, I mix in some bark and perlite. How quickly your potting medium will dry out will also depend on what type of pot you are using, plastic (slotted or non-slotted) or clay. Hope your orchid makes it!

[Matilda]

He's probably wishing he got her a box of chocolates instead

[herfy]

well all my phals are in Moss and doing just fine.. The key to moss is to totally let it dry out and keep it fluffed up so air can get to the roots!! To tell you the truth.I have killed more phals that were planted in bark than i have killed in moss... The key to growing orchids is learning what works best with YOU'RE conditions

[Matilda]

Get a bamboo skewer, like you find in the grocery store for a buck or so. Stick one in the pot and check it periodically. When the skewer is almost dry, water the plant. The new bark will not hold as much moisture as the moss did.

The phal does not want to stay too wet but also does not want to completely dry out.

When you water it, give it lots of water. Let it pour through the pot. Then let it dry out a bit before watering again.

How long to wait will depend on the environment where you are. For example, I live in NC and it is very humid here. I find I don't need to water many of my plants more than once a week or so. And I do not do well with moss. It stays wet way too long for me and rots my roots.

Let us know if you have any questions.

[Orchidjim]

Absolutely correct! I grow 1000's of phals ALL in moss. Cut 'em down and repot all in summer. Works great. Know your own conditions and

WHEN IN DOUBT...DRY THEM OUT !!

[dounoharm]

be careful keeping it too close to the window, it could be too cold! you dont want phals to be below 55 degrees this time of year.....