Something not right with my orchid

[alexm]

I have this mini orchid that I got maybe two-three weeks ago. It is contained in a glass vase with these special gel bubble that absorb water and then slowly release it for the plant. I've noticed that the new buds on the plant are looking really dry and dead, some are even falling off of the plant, although the flowers that have already bloomed are looking healthy. I'm not sure what to do, I've given it water, and it sits on a windowsill facing west so it's getting sunlight but not direct sunlight. Other than the buds looking dead, the plant seems healthy.

[Bulbofett]

Posting a picture would paint a better picture of the problem here. Is there enough air flow around the roots? Being in a vase I wouldn't think there would be, but I don't know what kind of vase we're dealing with here.

[alexm]

Here is a picture of the orchid in it's vase

[MrsH530]

I would definitely take the orchid out of that and put it in a different pot with an orchid potting mix (you can get that at big box stores). Orchids need airflow around their roots, and this vase doesn't provide any.

If you can't find a small pot, you can use whatever you have around the house - a small yogurt cup, the bottom of a soda bottle, any kind of plastic container that you can put drainage holes in.

Good luck

[alexm]

Thank you very much!

[orion141]

I second what MrsH530 says. You can use a clay pot with holes that is sold as an orchid pot from lowes or home depot and pot in something like an orchid bark mix (special orchid mix is sold at lowes and home depot and I have found it to work fairly well).

[Optimist]

Those gell bubbles might be nice in a humidity tray. The way this is potted is like being forced to live in plastic garbage bags. No plant could live under these circumstances.

[alexm]

The actual plant is inside a plastic cup thingy that has holes in them and it looks like there's some moss in there, and the gel bubbles are surrounding the plastic cup thing

[WaterWitchin]

Alex... unfortunately, any orchid...when climate is changed, can develop "bud blast." Google it.

'tis easily saved to produce flowers again, from other advice you receive. In the meantime, enjoy what you have. Stick 'round, and learn if you want to grow more.

[alexm]

Ah... that makes sense. Thank you