please help with 1st orchid - Orchid Board

Judy 1990 · #1 10-10-2010, 06:05 PM

hello can you please give me advice on what too do with my orchid.
ive had it since motherday my boyfriend bought it for me ,
i been watering the plant every week on a saterday since i got it and it flowerd lovly flowers till they fell off stem one by one i think i over waterd it cos last few weeks i noticed the container was full of water so i empted it and not gived it any water for a month just to let it try out and now all flowers have gone now as you can see on pictures iv sent with this message and can you tell me if the root is heathy even tho the stems are all brown
can you please help me save my orchid it does look like it dying on the stems but some of the roots have gone brown and some more roots have shoots growing from them at bottom of the thick part of the stem i hope to hear from you soon with info.
lisa

CTB · #2 10-10-2010, 06:18 PM

It is doing fine,I can't see a problem. As long as it has green roots you are fine. Can't tell what you have it potted up in, it should be in bark and not spag moss that they usually come in. You may have to repot, but in bark chips you won't be able to overwater so easily.

Try the stick test( like cake testing) put a pencil in the media and see if it comes out moist, if so then don't no water, if it's dry, water. Be sure pot has drain holes in it.
Water should run right through.

Welcome to the Orchid Board. You can cut off brown old flower stocks, if they are still green just cut in half, may bloom again.

Daethen · #3 10-10-2010, 06:30 PM

I agree, cut the flower stalks, it will grow new ones when it is ready. It is into a root growth cycle which is what the new green is on the end of the arial roots. The potted roots in the picture look great. Worry more if the roots feel mushy than what they look like. It is doing just fine from what I can see.

Melody · #4 10-10-2010, 06:42 PM

hey there. I agree with the others. It looks like it's doing well. Looks like you already have it properly potted in bark and the roots look healthy with new growth. Make sure to fertilize it on a regular basis though.

The flower spikes will naturally turn brown like that when they are done, so don't worry about that. Like the others said, cut them off.

Also just to elaborate on the stick test CTB mentioned. I put a wooden skewer in mine and just leave it all the time and only take it out when I want to check to see if it's dry and the plant needs water. It has helped me tons!

Judy 1990 · #5 10-10-2010, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTB

It is doing fine,I can't see a problem. As long as it has green roots you are fine. Can't tell what you have it potted up in, it should be in bark and not spag moss that they usually come in. You may have to repot, but in bark chips you won't be able to overwater so easily.

Try the stick test( like cake testing) put a pencil in the media and see if it comes out moist, if so then don't no water, if it's dry, water. Be sure pot has drain holes in it.
Water should run right through.

Welcome to the Orchid Board. You can cut off brown old flower stocks, if they are still green just cut in half, may bloom again.

hi thanks for the quick reply can i ask u one more question how much bark needs to be in the pot and when an i re pot the plant and do i need too cut the stems down now they brown and what i need to do about the brown on some roots
thanks lisa

Judy 1990 · #6 10-10-2010, 07:22 PM

hi i just put a pencil down the media and it still feels moist and the pot is in all bark but some roots are green and some are going brown lisa

Judy 1990 · #7 10-10-2010, 07:36 PM

thanks i will try the wooden skewer but how far down do i cut on the stems lisa

CTB · #8 10-10-2010, 08:16 PM

If spikes are brown cut them all the way off. If they are green cut them half way by a node where a flower was. Leave your roots alone, they are fine. Brown, green, silver , they look fine.

flhiker · #9 10-10-2010, 08:24 PM

Hi Lisa, And welcome to the Orchid board and orchid growing. You should cut the stem leaving about a 1/2 inch or so. To repot you will need to get a package of Bark mix. (wood chips, charcoal, pearlite). Remove the plant and careful remove all the old medium from around the roots.I rinse off the roots and then Put a little mix in the pot place plant in the pot then carefully fill in around the roots to the base of the plant. Water. Good luck.

Charmkp · #10 10-10-2010, 11:00 PM

Hey Lisa,

to OB. No need to panic I think you are doing very well and you are at the right place, where persons will provide you with the required help. I agree with all the persons who responded to you. Just follow their advice and very soon you will tell us that you have your 2nd orchid.

Happy growing..