General health - need help! - Orchid Board

Jdrentsch · #1 02-13-2010, 01:44 PM

Hello friends,

First, I want you to know that I've done research before posting but cannot seem to find a solution to my problem.

I got an orchid from a friend a few months ago. It doesn't have an identification tag on it but it looks like it is from a grocery store..so maybe a Phalaenopsis?

It was in a really small container so I repotted it in a larger pot. It is mostly bark with a little moss on top to retain some moisture.

To fertilize I spray lightly once a week with dilute "Orchid Plus".

The orchid is under grow lights with my other plants. It gets about 15 hours of light a day. They are grow lights, and produce very little heat.

Despite this, the orchid is not doing well. The leaves droop, look a little wilted and are turning darker. I have tried to remedy this in a number of ways.

Is this simply a case of over or under watering? I've tried adjusting my watering both ways but the plant does not seem to react.

A picture is attached, should it help!

I appreciate any advice you can give me.

Very best,
Jeremy

trdyl · #2 02-13-2010, 01:55 PM

Welcome to OB!

Have you checked the roots lately? Anything that is brown an mushy when wet needs to be cut off.

The pot that it is currently in looks too large. It shoud be put into a pot that the roots barely fit in to.

As far as watering goes if the medium is damp don't water until it is almost dry.

dounoharm · #3 02-13-2010, 02:59 PM

i think it might need more water jeremy....it should be watered over the sink and water run thru the pot while you count to ten....then drained....it should not stand in water, nor should water stand in the crown of the plant....it should be watered when it is almost completely dried out, then watered copiously! spraying with a spray bottle doenst do much for a plant of any sort....to fert, pour the fert solution over the pot same as you water it, fert weakly every week or so....also, it is in a rather large pot, phals like to be in small pots, rootbound....

RosieC · #4 02-14-2010, 01:31 PM

I agree with the comments above. It is not getting enough water, but watering more will only work if the roots are OK, so take a look and see how they are now. Also I agree the pot looks too big.

Finally, I kind of think I can see a terminal spike in the picture. Is there a spike coming out the center of the plant? If so that could mean the plant is not going to grow or flower again anyway and the best bet is to try and get a keiki to grow.

Jdrentsch · #5 02-14-2010, 02:21 PM

Hello,

Thank you so very much. All of the advice so far has been very helpful. I had no idea I was watering / fertilizing my orchids incorrectly! I've repotted this orchid in the pot it originally came in. While it is smaller, it does not have drainage so I'll find a replacement ASAP.

RosieC, There is a spike coming out of the plant but looking at it, I don't think it is come out of the apical meristem. I didn't know this was something to look out for. I have a lot of learning to do.

trdyl · #6 02-14-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdrentsch

I've repotted this orchid in the pot it originally came in. While it is smaller, it does not have drainage so I'll find a replacement ASAP.

If I had to choose between a pot that is too large or one with no drainage holes, I would rather keep it in the one that is too large a little longer until you get the proper sized one with drainage holes. The without holes will give you more problems.

Jdrentsch · #7 02-14-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trdyl

If I had to choose between a pot that is too large or one with no drainage holes, I would rather keep it in the one that is too large a little longer until you get the proper sized one with drainage holes. The without holes will give you more problems.

Thanks! I actually just realized that I could drill holes in the bottom of the smaller pot to create enough drainage. So, I did that and now it drains like a charm. Win win.