Is my Orchid dying?

[firenice101199]

I bought my first Orchid about a month ago and now the flowers are wilted and the stem is turning yellow. Is it dying? What should I do to bring it back if at all possible?

[jesscorine]

it's not "dying" but it's distressed...check the roots and read the sticky about phal abuse

[SlipperGirl]

I would check the roots, and does that pot have holes in it?

[firenice101199]

Originally Posted by jesscorine

it's not "dying" but it's distressed...check the roots and read the sticky about phal abuse

What should I be looking for with the roots?

The tag just says to water when moss is completely dry and that repotting is not necessary.

Thanks for your response

---------- Post added at 06:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:51 PM ----------

Originally Posted by SlipperGirl

I would check the roots, and does that pot have holes in it?

no the pot does not have holes in it. Should it?

[firenice101199]

I took the plant out of the pot and there is some Styrofoam popcorn on the bottom...could that be the issue? There was a knat under one of the leaves too..is that normal? Here are pics of the roots.

[SlipperGirl]

Originally Posted by firenice101199

What should I be looking for with the roots?

The tag just says to water when moss is completely dry and that repotting is not necessary.

Thanks for your response

---------- Post added at 06:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:51 PM ----------



no the pot does not have holes in it. Should it?

the first thing you need to do is throw away the tag, the info that's on it is usually not good.

The roots should be green or a sliver color and not mushy. If they are brown and mushy that means that they are rotted.

Yes the pot should have holes in it, or there should be a plastic pot inside of the purple pot that has holes in it. If there is not you need to repot it right away.

---------- Post added at 07:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:34 PM ----------

Originally Posted by firenice101199

I took the plant out of the pot and there is some Styrofoam popcorn on the bottom...could that be the issue? There was a knat under one of the leaves too..is that normal? Here are pics of the roots.

Attachment 82137

Attachment 82138

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oops did not see this post.

The Styrofoam is fine. The knat is fine too I don't think there is anything you can do to get rid of it.

Looks like the problem is you roots they don't look to good. Do they feel soft?

[RosieC]

If it was potted straight in the purple pot with no holes in the bottom then it needs repotting in a pot with holes. A clear plastic pot makes it easy to see the roots and know when to water.

No problem with the styrofoam, it's often used to make air space at the bottom of pots when the roots don't fill the pot.

The roots don't look too good, are they soft or firm?

[Cathryn]

Sphagnum moss can be deceiving. The top will dry and make it look like the plant need watering, while the bottom is still wet! Best to get it into something else. Sphag holds moisture much longer than other mediums and is the reason most beginners have orchids suffering from root rot.