A few of my Phalaenopsis blooms are wilting, is this the beginning of the end?

[shayla]

I got this Phalaenopsis in April, and everything seemed to be going great (bloomed two buds since then) but the last couple of days those bottom few blooms are wilting (and are losing their color) and one looks like its almost completely dead. It is located in a perfect place, no direct sun but gets lots of indirect light throughout the day. I put an ice cube a day on it for water... Am I doing something wrong or is this normal? If not, how can I fix?? THANKS!

[EstebanJ]

Hi Shyla,

Phals need some time to adapt so, loosing bulbs after a month is not that uncommon. The ice cube method for watering is not recommended. Check out online watering needs for Phalaenopsis orchids to get a better idea on how to do that. Seems that it is receiving the right light, just keep it ventilated and you shouldn't have any problems.

Good luck!!

E.

---------- Post added at 11:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:48 PM ----------

Sorry I misspelled your name Shayla

[Oscarman]

I would not recommend the ice cube watering either. Looks like some great roots on the surface of the medium which could be harmed by the direct contact. Not something they would ever encounter in nature.

Your plant is in moss, I would water to drench the medium, allow excess to drain and then not water again until the moss shows signs of dying in the top 1".

The wilting could be just age, looks like the bottom or oldest ones are going. Orchid flowers kept in the kitchen are are sometimes affected by the combustion gases from gas stoves and that can cause premature wilting and bud blast. I have even had the same thing happen from using cooking aerosols containing propane, butane and iso-butane propellants in close proximity to phaleaopsis flowers.

[shayla]

So, it may be a watering thing? I will do what you said DaveW and try the drench, etc. When you say it may be age, do you mean the rest will just continue to wilt and fall off? Sorry, I don't really know the lifecycle/norm of orchids. This has been in bloom since at least apr 1...

[WhiteRabbit]

The blooms may just be finished ... some Phals hold blooms an exceptionally long time, but others 1-3 months.

[flexdc]

Blooms may be done, that's why the ones from the bottom are falling off.
As long as they are from the bottom our plant is OK.
The ice watering method however is a scam!
NEVER WATER YOUR ORCHID WITH ICE!!! It will die for sure. Whomever told you to do so does not know a thing about orchids.
Good luck

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by flexdc

....Whomever told you to do so does not know a thing about orchids.

There is a company headquartered in Ohio (United States) called 'Just Add Ice' Orchids. They provide many plants to grocery stores, home improvement stores, and other retailers. They have a lovely, easy to navigate website. I have many of their plants, they are healthy, filled with many flowers, and are inexpensive. I would not water any plants with ice cubes, but the point they make is that orchids, especially their product, are easy to grow and maintain. Here is their website:

http://justaddiceorchids.com/

[Corsetière]

lol! They have a page on their website called "Share Your Orchid Story". Share Your Orchid Story

Someone should write " I bought one of your orchids, watered it with ice like you said, and then my orchid died. The END."

[maxie]

I did the drenching technique for one of my orchids and the plant did almost nothing except lean over. I decided what the heck; drenched the plant and placed it in my dark, chilly basement for 30 days or so. The leaves are now firm, healthy looking, roots shooting out in two places. Perhaps it will bloom since it has not done so in two years. :-)
A miracle perhaps. :-))

[flexdc]

Well I sent them a message saying that it is a scam! We shall see what happens'