My Phalaenopsis needs help!

[LilyBean]

So here's my predicament...

I bought what was labelled as a slipper orchid from my local Tesco Express (I think its a phalaenopsis though!)
It was reduced and i loved its colouring, it was also January and in the open door way for who knows how long.
I accidentally broke one of the spikes and a few days after i got it home one of the leaves turned yellow near the base and fell off. It has been struggling since then, producing buds, some of which flower others shrivel up and drop off.
The roots don't look to be in good condition and as I'm a complete novice I'm not sure if i should attempt to re-pot it or wait it out.

What could be the cause to all this and do you think i can save it?

I was wondering if the cause of all this was due to shock from being in the cold then my warm home and me injuring it???

Any suggestions would be very useful

x

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

How certain are you of the mislabeling?

I am fairly reluctant to give any kind of advice unless you can make certain of what your plant in question really is.

Phals and Paphs can have wildly different cultivational needs depending on which species or hybrid they are.

Not to mention, Paphs and Phals have far different looking root systems from one another. They aren't even close to resembling one another - not even in the remotest.

If you can provide a photo of the plant in question, that would be great. Then you'd be able to receive better advice.

[Bud]

The plant is dehydrated. I also think it needs more light, warmth and humidity...

[LilyBean]

I just edited my post, i forgot to originally... never been to good at forums lol

[The Mutant]

That's definitely a Phalaenopsis and nothing else. I would check the roots on that guy if I were you 'cause there's something wrong with it. What's visible of the roots looks dehydrated. Have you given it any water since you bought it?

The flowers shriveling and falling off could be because of the stress of changing environment, but it doesn't look like a happy Phal in large either.

I'm a newbie myself, so don't take my words too much to heart and wait for some of the more experienced growers to have their say.

Welcome by the way!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Yeah...

That looks like it's ready for the trash bin. I'm not sure if there's much to salvage at first glance.

You might wanna pull the plant out and see if there are any viable roots on that plant.

Please do provide photos if you're unsure.

[LilyBean]

Trash bin, really well i won't give up just yet.
May be I'm not watering it enough but i water it the same as my other phal and that ones fine.
I've never been green fingered and I've been known to kill plants before... accidentally of course!
I'm just not a natural

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

No one's a natural. Some people just learn faster than others in regards to certain things - that's all it really is. Whether they've put in the hours or whether they're just quick at grasping certain concepts, it doesn't matter. They learned.

I would pull the plant out to look at the roots first, before investing time and energy on a plant that is destined to die anyways.

If I felt it was salvageable in any way possible I will tell you. Even then, we're talking about the probability of recovery, not a 100% sure fire bet it will make a 100% recovery.

[LilyBean]

tomorrow during daylight after uni i will do this, right now I'm doing course work *cough cough*

[The Mutant]

Don't beat yourself up about it. I think the reason the watering regime hasn't worked on this one is because it was in a bad shape to begin with. If they don't have any viable roots to take up the water with, it's no wonder if it's not doing that great. Also, if they're in a bad shape already, they get even more sensitive to stress.

Check the roots tomorrow and if it has any good roots, cut of the spike (drains a lot of energy) and re-pot the Phal.

And most important of all, good luck!

Originally Posted by LilyBean

tomorrow during daylight after uni i will do this, right now I'm doing course work *cough cough*

Just like me then! I'm writing a paper at the moment... :