Help me save my phal from suicide-- help!

[Cookiemonster]

As I came home last night, I realized wow my orchid isnt looking too healthy ....

I've had this one for almost 3 weeks- Im really new to orchids and didnt understand the basics , I live in arizona and i water about once a week (tap water) no fertilizer and its blooming, but I was looking at the blooms and they look tired/somewhat wilting--- does this mean lack of water/nutrients or too much, slightly around the edges its a brownish color (the leaves) I want to SAVE this plant, Im not going to let it commit suicide


Im thinking the culprits this far--
-Tap water is too hard, need different water
-Needs nutrients/fertilizer dissolved in reverse osmosis or rainwater
-Possible root damage/something beneath the potting
-Needs humidity, misting in the morning or possible humidifier in the room

If anyone has any recs, suggestions, I'd appreciate it, I was thinking about repotting to check the health but I've heard it puts TOO much stress to re-pot during bloom time


thanks everyone !

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[Ross]

How long has it been blooming? Could be the blooms are just done and ready to fall off? If your tap water is hard (lots of minerals) then RO water would be better for the plants. A picture might help confirm.

[Cookiemonster]

Ummm I dont think I can take a picture till later tonight, but I'll try, I bought it in bloom with 2 blooms and 4 more came out and there is one bud that still hasnt opened and looks somewhat droopy ... :S

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Cookiemonster

Ummm I dont think I can take a picture till later tonight, but I'll try, I bought it in bloom with 2 blooms and 4 more came out and there is one bud that still hasnt opened and looks somewhat droopy ... :S

If it's the terminal bud, that sometimes happens.

[nagal1]

If the plant is in sphagnum moss pull it out of the pot and make sure the roots look healthy, i.e. firm and white or green, but not brown or mushy. If the roots look good the plant may be underwatered,especially if you are keeping it outside in the Arizona climate. It should be well watered and then allowed to almost dry out and then water again. When the plant is in flower you should fertilize. Remember orchids are potted in medium without nutriets so you have to add what they need. Good luck.