Please help our dying Phal Orchid come to live! Photos added for better assistance.

[Finnayra]

Hello everyone,

First of all, my apologies if I have posted this on the wrong place... And if I did, it wasn't my intention all I need is help.

Anyway, two months ago my boyfriend gave me this white Phal Orchid as a gift because well, Orchids are my favorite flowers. However, due to being busy, getting a new job just recently and not having any energy when I get home, I have caused my orchid to give up blooming.

I really would like to revive it or make it better and keep it healthy. I want to take care of it. I feel terrible because it was so beautiful and now it's dead... How can I make it bloom? What are the procedures or basics to look after my plant? I need information about the type of dirt/soil orchids need, how often do I need to water it and if any fertilizer is needed, etc.

I feel quite dumb about loving a plant and having it at home but not been able to know how to take care of it. But I'm willing to learn and take action, I just need some guidance. I hope any of you can help me and thanks so much in advance for any guidance. Please help me save my phally!

My boyfriend just now mentioned that he put 3 ice cubes in the pot (as it was advised on the tag attached to the orchid when he bought it - I never saw that tag...) about 1.5 week after he bought it for me 2 months ago. Then 2 days ago I filled it up with water after realizing the damage I had caused with my negligence, I let it soaked overnight and the next morning I dumped most of the water out and now it's just moisty.

Here are some pictures I took about an hour ago. Perhaps (and hope) these can help you guys to guide me.

My main concern is, will it ever bloom again?

[sii]

Finnayra I don't think your orchid is dead.

I wonder if that pot has any holes in it. It looks kinda soggy. Most of the OB members use a skewer to check when an orchid needs to be watered - when it's almost dry. I insert the skewer into the medium and then after a little while I pull it out and check it. Kinda like inserting a toothpick into a cake to check if it's done.

BTW orchids don't like soil as the roots need air. I don't have it bookmarked, but I believe we have culture sheets for caring for a phal.

I have my opinion about the 'just add ice' orchids. I was never successful with this method. I water all my orchids with luke warm water.

Hang tight until a more experienced member comes along with help.

[sii]

try this website

http://firstrays.com/PDF/Phalaenopsis.pdf

[sweetjblue]

Hi Mayra, to the board.
Yes your plant will bloom again just not on the spike shown in your pics. Flowers on Phalaenopsis can last for months and once done blooming you may either see what you have here ( spike browned and dying ) or the flowers will just drop and the spike stay green.
I think some of the best advice for you concerning growing your baby can be found here:

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

With proper culture you baby should bloom for years!

Judi

[Daethen]

Your orchid looks good. It is normal for the flowers to die back and the spike to die afterwards. It is very likely that your phalaenopsis will bloom again when it is time. You should water it weekly or when almost dry from the previous watering. I should also be fertilized weakly weekly and be flushed with plain water every 4th watering. It will need good filtered light. It should have some air movement and chunky orchid bark mix so it can have good drainage and air to the roots. You should not leave it sitting in water. An overnight soak is not a bad thing, but poor all the water out of the pot and if there are no holes in the bottom of the pot, repot it. That's the basics.

[kalanchoe]

Hi Finnayra! I agree with Sii, your orchid will probably be fine. If your concern with the orchid is that its flowers and spike (the flower stem) dried up, then not to worry- that is a natural part of an orchid's cycle, and it can bloom again. Your plant will likely work on growing its leaves and roots before it flowers again.

What I do find worrisome is that the state of your roots is unknown. Orchids need drainage; otherwise they can rot in water that collects in the bottom of the pot. Like Sii said, it's important not to overwater- make sure that the medium is almost completely dry (in the entire pot, not just the top surface) before you water again. Orchids also need fresh medium in which to grow, so a good next step would be to repot the orchid in new medium inside a pot with drainage holes (a lot of people like clear pots so that they can see inside the pot).

[Judi]

First of all, welcome to OB! Orchids don't bloom forever, and your phal is probably finished blooming--when the spikes turn brown you can cut them at the crown.

It is never a good idea to let a phal dry out completely, but it is also probably not a good idea to let it soak overnight either. There is a lot of helpful indepth info on the internet, here is a link to a site that I find helpful: Phalaenopsis Care

As for the icecube, there have been several threads on OB on that subject, I can't remember anyone thinking it is a good idea to us that method, I certainly wouldn't do it.

Is your orchid in a pot that has good drainage? The picture looks like it has little drainage if any. Good drainage and air circulation for the roots is very important. I like to use a bark medium and the clear slotted plastic pots so I can see the roots and have a better idea of when to water.

You may want to consider re-potting in new medium, but make sure you cut away any dead roots, dust just the spot where you cut the root with cinnamon, and make sure you do not use a pot that is too big. The link I gave you also shows how to re-pot.

Good luck!