my orchid is dying..

[Rileysmommy819]

I have had my orchid for about two years, it has bloomed twice and and then the stem died, so I cut it off.
I have also repotted because all of the roots were mushy, I cut off all of the dead roots and it started growing about 3 new ones. Now the 3 leaves it has are one by one getting wrinkly looking and one has a very yellowish spot where the new leaf shades it.
There are also gnats and I just dont know what to do anymore with it. I water once weekly and it was doing really well... what is happening to it? Why are the leaves getting wrinkly and dying?

PLease help

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Probably experiencing more root loss.

When you removed the dead roots, did you repot it back into the same sized pot or did you use a smaller one that fits the size of the roots?

Over potting is a big problem with epiphytical orchids. It doesn't allow for a proper balance of air circulation and moisture.

The size of the pot should match the size of the roots as best as you can.

If that can't be achieved, then mount it.

Also when you repot, it shouldn't be put back into the same media. Fresh media should be used.

Some people cannot grow their Phals potted because of their growing environment. Be aware of this. Sometimes the only way to go is to mount it.

Other people use semi-hydroponics successfully.

What kind of potting media are you using? This can also be an issue, particularly if an epiphytical orchid (an orchid that grows on trees) is being grown as a terrestrial plant (as in grown in potting soil - bad for epiphytical Phals).

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome to the OB.
I'll also add: if you have gnats they are probably fungus gnats. Your potting medium is sour and needs to be replaced.
Can you post a picture? There might be other things going on that we can spot for you.
Joann

[Sandrilene]

the leaves can wrinkle from root loss since the roots are where they get the nutrients and water they need.

[Duane McDowell]

I'd second all of that. Get it out of the old mix and into new mix. Use the smallest pot that will comfortably hold all the living roots. If there are no living roots, put it into the smallest pot you can find in fresh medium. Set the tiny pot into a larger clay pot to keep it from falling over. Sometimes you'll get a nice flush of new roots by doing this, other times, it will hasten the plant to a merciful end... Good luck!

[RosieC]

If it has already lost roots it can continue to loose leaves until it gets to a size that the reduced roots can support.

I agree with the advise to get it in to the smallest pot you can with fresh medium. I have tried various ways of trying to use bigger pots than the roots really needed and in the end I have found the only way is to get some tiny pots. My sickest phals have rewarded me for that with a flush of new roots.