Phal Dying? Please Help. :(

[correr82]

Hi All,

I have a phal that has been around for about 9 months. The flower stopped blooming about 5 months ago and I thought that was normal. The leaves still seem healthy to me (if anything they are too dark green) but the stem seems to be dying from the top to the bottom (it is browning down). I have cared for an orchid before and had no problem, however, at that time I had a skylight in my room, so it must have gotten the perfect amount of light. Now my room is in a North facing window (I know thats not ideal). I am scared to cut the stem and cause shock to the plant but it seems to be getting worse so I was thinking this might be the best option? Also I have not repotted it since it was originally bought.
I mist the plant whenever the air roots look dry so as not to overwater. I will post up pictures in the next few days.

I am an avid orchid lover, but really need help learning their proper care.

Thanks for your help!!

Em

[Bud]

What is your grow zone? It will help us to advice you on watering regimen for your plants.
Pictures can be helpful.
Cut the spike(you call it a 'stem') an inch from the base, it will give the plant a signal to gather more energy for the next bloom cycle. Do not worry you will get a new spike with blooms again.
9 months ago you should have repotted it when you first got it and checked the roots....there might be a moss ball at the central root underneath....it will cause rot. But since you say the leaves are healthy, it might be ok.....usually I repot every 2 years or if the media mix have started to crumble and decay.

[silken]

a picture would help but it just sounds like the bloom spike is finished and needs to be cut down as Bud says. That's not going to cause any shock or problem for the plant. I agree, you should check the root situation just to avoid problems before they occur.

[Kiliki85]

Check out the sticky titled "The Phal abuse ends here" in the beginners discussion. It's long but has tons of great information! (took me several days to get through it all but the info has been so helpful)

[correr82]

Thanks so much everyone for the insight!!

I will cut the spike when I get home. I attached a few pictures. The first one is from a few weeks ago, and you can see how the spike has been dying back since then. Also, now that I am looking, the air roots look a bit dry. Do you all still suggest I repot as well? I am so grateful to have your support.

Em

[RosieC]

Yeah, if it's the spike that is dying back then it's nothing to worry about. Just cut it back, I usually cut as close to the plant as I can without harming the plant where it joins.

Sometimes the spikes rebloom, but not always and once it dies back it is best to cut it off.

Your plant looks healthy around the leaves and unless you see any problem with those or the roots there is nothing to worry about.

[silken]

I always like to re-pot when it comes from the store because they usually come in sphagnum moss that is very tightly packed in the center root ball and stays too wet, which causes root rot. http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html This link has a thread with all kinds of questions and answers to growing Phals. It is worth browsing thru at least part of it. If you do re-pot, use a pot (I like a clear one) that is just big enough for the roots to fit and not a lot bigger. I like a mix of shagnum moss and medium bark chunks, but some use things like coconut husk chunks or similar things that hold a bit of moisture but also allow some air to the roots. water well when the bottom and centre in the pot approach dryness. Don't get water in the crown of the leaves or crown rot can occur. I like a kebab skewer placed in the pot so I can pull it out and tell if the centre of the potting media is dry or wet.