anyone else in central nj!? - Orchid Board

kmigs26 · #1 09-30-2010, 03:10 PM

I am semi new to this site...but I was wondering if any experienced person in my area could give me some advice! My orchid is not doing to well! Thanks!!!
~Kelly

CTB · #2 09-30-2010, 03:13 PM

We have almost 16,000 members, someone will help. Just ask your question and you will get lots of help. Ask it under the beginner discussion that always gets a lot of action. If its in the wrong place someone will move it.

WhiteRabbit · #3 09-30-2010, 04:03 PM

I agree with what Carol said - if you can post pix, describe your care, what type of potting media used - I'm sure you will get plenty of help

kmigs26 · #4 09-30-2010, 05:06 PM

Okay, I will post a picture tonight or tomorrow morning. I warn you...this is a LONG story!

So my boyfriend bought me the orchid (phal) from wegman's grocery in mid july. it was in full bloom. it seemed to be doing fine. it was planted in moss. i watered it once a week a few times and then didn't water it for three weeks (oops). Upon closer look after those three weeks I noticed that the bottom leaf was turning yellow and there was a little bit of brown/ black near the base of the plant. I have now lost 5 leaves total. The remaining four seem to be green. To back track a little...after I saw the first leaf was yellow, I pulled the plant out of the pot and discovered that the roots were rotten. All but one. So I went to the store, got bark (specific for Phals) and replanted. I used the same pot as it was previously in, but I let it set in a diluted bleach solution for a little while before I replanted. I obviously cut off all of the dead roots. That was two weeks ago. Now I am noticing that the bottom of the plant is turning black and the remaining root is shriveling. The stem which i cut back a few months ago is turning brown. A new root is growing and seems to be doing fine...but I am very worried about the black spot. I have been misting the little new root almost daily since i replanted and running an overhead fan on the plant (i have had the fan running since the day i brought the plant home so I think it should be pretty used to it). I have the pot sitting on rocks...not touching of course. I am thinking maybe it is rotting because the water is getting cold and sitting on the plant with the fan? The plant is sitting in a southern window with sheers blocking it from direct sun. I think the light is okay. What should I do? I will post a picture later...as I said.
~Kelly

kmigs26 · #5 10-01-2010, 12:03 PM

here are some pictures.

i hope i can save it. i love that plant like its a pet!

Orchid126 · #6 10-01-2010, 03:28 PM

Stop misting the plant. Your problem sounds like too much water. Also, if you get any water in the crook of the leaves or in the crown of the plant, mop it up with a tissue or paper towel.

You don't say what kind of light the plant is in. This is critical.

PS: I leave near Trenton.

Swamper · #7 10-01-2010, 03:40 PM

Can't help but just curious where in central N.J.? I used to live in West New York as a kid.

dendro photo · #8 10-01-2010, 04:31 PM

I work in fairfield but live in NY

kmigs26 · #9 10-01-2010, 06:38 PM

ah trenton is close. to me. i am near freehold. i have it in a south window...sheers or curtains in between...depending upon the strength of the sun that day. i stopped misting..hopefully it will dry out and live.

Orchid126 · #10 10-02-2010, 07:21 PM

You can have the phal about two feet away from a south window with no sheers or curtains. Here in New Jersey we're light starved. There are no sheers on any of my windows where I have orchids. Sheers are for further south or west.