Phalaenopsis leaf/stem turing brown. Please help!

[brenda26]

One of the leaves is in fabulous shape, the other yellow, and one of them is now forming a black spot on it ew whats that about?

[trdyl]

Hello Brenda. Thanks for posting the pictures. The old flower spike looks fine. The one of the upper leaves looks severly dehydrated. Is that limp leaf the newest one?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Looking at the pictures, it does look like a case of root rot.

I think you should pull the entire plant out take a picture of the roots and people can then make an assessment.

[brenda26]

I pulled it up and the roots look dead and dry, but there is still some life it it. Some of the plant is still green. Is there any way to revive this orchid?

[brenda26]

I pulled it up and the roots look dead and dry, but there is still some life it it. Some of the plant is still green. Is there any way to revive this orchid?

[trdyl]

Many people here have revived them in water culture. It would be a good idea to add a liquid rooting hormone to the water. The popular brands are Superthrive and Dyna-Gro's K-L-N. I have found Superthirve before at Walmart and at Lowes. I would go ahead and remove the rest of the flower spike as much as you can. It will help the plant to put forth its energy into root production.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You're free to try and save the plant if you like, but in my honest opinion, it will be a very frustrating road that ends up fruitless.

I honestly think that despite your most valiant efforts to save this plant, it may just not make it.

This may not be the most comforting thing to hear someone say, but I believe that this will be how it goes.

I think you should chuck this one up for experience and try again if you like, or maybe try an easier to grow orchid.

Unfortunately, you're not alone in dealing with the frustrations of growing Phalaenopsis. Even experienced growers will sometimes come across a few problems if they let their guard down.

Part of the problem with Phalaenopsis is that in the wild, the evergreen Phals are epiphytical orchids that grow on trees that are usually devoid of moss in tropical Asian swamp forests (or at times they grow on trees in tropical Asian forests that are near streams or rivers - sometimes these streams or rivers are large). When they grow on these trees, the crown is facing sideways where the leaf tips are pointing downwards, this is their way to prevent crown rot from occurring (they don't grow upright in nature). This is a very unique kind of habitat and growth habit.

[orkie]

If you want to try water culture, which may work (and at the very least is easy to try, whether or not it works) just do search for it here on the OB and there are several very detailed threads about it.

I've had luck reviving some orchids and then others not so much. If you are attached to this plant, there is no reason to not try.

Good luck!

[brenda26]

Thanks to everyone for all your helpful information. This is my first orchid and unfortunately it did not last very long I now know more about them since I've had one and from sites like this. With helpful people that know more than I do maybe the next orchid I get, I will have more success with! Thanks again!

[Orchid126]

Does the pot the plant is in have drainage holes?