Orchid leaves turned yellow and fell off?

[RandomGemini]

This one's a goner. The rot has progressed all the way into the crown from the pics you've posted. I think the thing to do is to pitch this one, sterilize everything that you have used for it with alcohol or by soaking it in bleach water, and then go get yourself another one.

When I lost mine, I went out looking for another orchid just like it, and I ended up finding one that I liked a lot better. It's sitting beside my laptop as I type and it makes me smile to see that this one is thriving.

There are some things you should watch for when buying an orchid. For the larger phals in 4 inch pots or bigger, I want them to be planted in bark, but moss isn't a deal breaker if the moss isn't soggy. I can always repot later. I look for signs of recent growth on the roots, or in the leaves. If I see a lot of cut spikes, I pass on the plant because that tells me that the plant will likely not flower again next year and that it's probably been sitting around for a while. Also, if the plant isn't potted in a clear plastic pot, inside a decorative pot, so that I can look at the roots inside and check for brown, mushy looking roots, I pass on the plant. You just never know what's going on inside the pot and having that clear pot to look through, gives you a good indicator of what problems the orchid may have.

Hope this helps!

[SophieOrchid]

I'm so disappointed because I love these plants, mine used to make me happy and knowing I was doing the right thing was a great feeling. I guess you learn from your mistakes.
I live in a very humid country so i may have to water mine much less.
Thanks for the replies you have helped alot.

[RandomGemini]

We all kill orchids from time to time, even very experienced growers will lose plants. I would call this a learning experience. Don't give up!

[SophieOrchid]

Thanks, I will buy a new one and give it another go
fingers crossed!

[RandomGemini]

When you do, post pics! We would love to see it!

Also:

[SophieOrchid]

Will do!

[Island Girl]

Yea, sorry, I agree that it's a goner, and with everything else Gemini & Nikkik said. I'd say go get a new one, and try again! We've all killed our share of orchids, so don't be too hard on yourself, all you can do is to learn from your mistakes. I would love to see pics of the new one, when you get it! And Welcome to the OB! Always love to welcome a new member!

[RosieC]

I agree with others that this seems like rot and that this one is a goner

I don't think leaving water in the bottom was good advice and could have caused this problem. It doesn't help with humidity but does cause the medium to stay damp and then cause rot.

Back to the original thing of the spikes not growing further (thus the store owner giving you this bad advice in the first place)... they don't always... sometimes they will and sometimes not. I always cut them right down to the bottom anyway because brand new spikes give far more flowers than the ones that branch off existing spikes. But when you do cut them for branching it won't always do anything, especially if the plant does not have the energy to spike again yet.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I agree with others that this seems like rot and that this one is a goner

I don't think leaving water in the bottom was good advice and could have caused this problem. It doesn't help with humidity but does cause the medium to stay damp and then cause rot.

I agree with all of this and what others have said. And don't be afraid to be a wacko standing there in the store digging through the moss or pulling the plant out of its decorative pot to look and see if there's a clear pot. The other day I bought a dendrobium at a big box store and I stood there and dug through the moss in the middle of the plant section. I don't care if you think I'm nuts :P Lol. I wanted to see the roots!

Also, even if they're wrapped in plastic, I stick my hands down in the plastic and pull them out by their spikes and get those plastic pots out of the decorative ones. I will not be fooled again!! O_O!

[kindrag23]

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

I agree with all of this and what others have said. And don't be afraid to be a wacko standing there in the store digging through the moss or pulling the plant out of its decorative pot to look and see if there's a clear pot. The other day I bought a dendrobium at a big box store and I stood there and dug through the moss in the middle of the plant section. I don't care if you think I'm nuts :P Lol. I wanted to see the roots!

Also, even if they're wrapped in plastic, I stick my hands down in the plastic and pull them out by their spikes and get those plastic pots out of the decorative ones. I will not be fooled again!! O_O!

So glad I am not the only one who does tthis!