This is bad isn't it? Newbie here...

[quiltergal]

Originally Posted by newbiegrower

K, so I should be cutting the stems really low, like near the bark mix stuff?

Yep. Cutting the spikes off allows the plant to focus more energy on growing roots and leaves, which it looks like a couple of them could use! LOL

[RJSquirrel]

we don't call them "Failanopsis" for any good reasons other than the ones I've just seen...Wasn't feeling your plastic plants hey? She's not feeling these much either I'm guessing. ...I had a secretary here for months watered a plastic plant and thought she was doing good ..It was clean anyway....I didn't have the heart to tell her it was plastic...she was so proud of that plant I just couldn't be the one

I think we have all done this very exact same thing...So no reason to feel badly from it but learn from it. IMO 90% of all the phals we NOOBS get are doomed anyway...right from the point of sale you have to check the plants very carefully. Might not have been all your fault.

try some paphiopedilums out as they are easy and Fun to grow if you aren't feeling the phals....

Try any mounted orchid. They require a little more watering but they don't crap out mysteriously for me so they are also easy and fun...but good luck and try some higher end plastic maybe

[CTB]

Welcome to the orchid board, you've found the place to get all your questions answered, Enjoy and good luck. Phals usually die from overwatering. You are not alone, as you see, many share your woes.