problem with phalaenopsis orchid - Yellow leaves and blooms dying

[greenfingersnot]

I have a phalaenopis orchid, its was a mothers day present from my daughter, and i thought i was doing well, the flowers fell off and i pruned the stems back a little, there is a new shoot half way up and a new leaf appeared from the middle of the two existing leaves and then the two largest leaves turned yellow and have just fallen off.
I dont know wether to water it or not, i usually pour a couple of inches into the pot and most of it comes out the bottom. It is in a clear pot with bark as fas as i can tell and is facing a window (east) on the fireplace about 10 foot away out of draughts, sun and heat. By the way everyone, i often read on this forum as you lot give excellent advice now i need a little help.

I have some pics of the situation as it stands now, and i will endevour to load them wish me luck and thanks for reading

,

[Eyebabe]

Hello and Welcome!
I cannot pull your pictures up to magnify them so I will do my best.
Phalaenopsis is commonly though of as an "easy" orchid. However, it is difficult to grow and flourish under normal home conditions.
This is primarily because a humidity of 80% is optimal and well, if you're human, 80% humidity is hell
With lower/normal home humidity, roots can go through dry/wet cycles and eventually rot. Although cattleyas can tolerate this pretty well, phals do not. Thus your leaves wither and fall off due to lack of nutrition and water no matter how much you give them due to "no roots".
The rot can extend upward and is the same as crown rot but in reverse.
Other causes of root rot are just flat out overwatering. But I believe the previous reason is more common. If your potting mix is deteriorated however, it could be holding too much moisture and rot the roots.
Lack of light can be a reason why an orchid doesn't bloom but it would not be a common reason it deteriorates.
Leaving water on the leaves or in the the crown can cause a "crown rot" which goes from the top of the plant down...the reverse of what you have.
Temperatures that are too cool can also kill a phalaenopsis but it sounds like this is unlikely for your case.

So ultimately, I would conclude your root system is gone.
How to fix it?
First, cut your spent spikes down to about 1 inch.
Second, remove the plant from the pot and see how the roots look. Cut off any black or brown, soft, squishy roots. Save the firm white and green roots.
Third, repot with fresh orchid bark mix. You may need a wooden spike to support the plant if you don't have many roots left. Be sure the pot is as small/tight as possible.
Four, keep the plant a bit on the dry side with humidity tray underneath and hope for the best...
IF there are no roots, you can try "sphag in a bag" but for me...that's when I go to the garbage with it and buy a new plant

[greenfingersnot]

thanks i will look out for some orchid bark mix, before if gets too bad, i had problems loading the pics if you pm me your email address i can send them to you. I think however there is little you can add. Thanks, di

[greenfingersnot]

I have emtied the pot, the bark at the bottom was damp the roots are nice and long but brown not green or white, it have two or three new shoots at the stems and two new leaves, i am trying putting the pot on a saucer of damp pebbles and covering with a plastic bag to increase humidity.

[Jennyfleur]

Hi and welcome to OB Where abouts in Essex are you?

I think Eyebabe has covered the bases but I thought I'd just chime in and say 'Hi' at the same time. One of the important things about growing any plant, is knowledge of what it does in the wild. With Phals, they are found (for example) clinging onto trees and so their roots will never be standing in water. That's why, therefore, we tend to use bark (or bark-based mixes) to allow for lots of drainage/ air circulation and to make sure that the roots don't stand in any water within the pot. Other people may use different methods of growing, but that depends on the growing environment. So, as it seems you've got some new roots comming (?), when you're looking for something to repot with, think drainage and avoid anything which is dense or soil-y!!

[greenfingersnot]

hi jenny

i live near you, sent you a pm, thankyou to you and eyebabe for the advise, all the leaves have just come out, it have new shoots on the stem though, so i hope it makes it.

Whats the easiest type to try ?

[Jennyfleur]

Hey,
I just tried to send a long reply to your pm, but I'm not sure it worked! (it says I have no sent items!) Let me know if it got there!

[greenfingersnot]

yes i got it thankyou, i will keep you updated. di