photos - issues with my 2 orchids - Orchid Board

stuckonorchids · #1 03-23-2014, 09:29 PM

Hi there,

having trouble with both my orchids.

First one just bloomed, and now the tip is going yellow. See pictures. is it dying? any advice on what to do?

Also, the other pic is of my orchid which I think is dead. However, the leaves are still doing great. anyone able to confirm the plant is dead? and if not, how do i get the stem back.

thanks

Richard

shushu45 · #2 03-23-2014, 10:35 PM

The first one looks fine its just aborting one of the spikes and the other one isn't dying its just done flowering. The leaves look OK to me and the first on is growing a nice new root.

But my concern is that sphagnum moss its in. Is it just at the top or is it truly potted in the moss??

orion141 · #3 03-23-2014, 10:39 PM

The stems dying back does not mean the plant itself is dying (happens naturally after the flowers fall off). I will echo what shushu45 said and mention that I would be a little concerned that the plant is in sphagnum moss as well as the fact that it appears that the plants are in in cups without any holes for drainage or airflow at the bottom or sides.

Optimist · #4 03-24-2014, 12:00 AM

Ditto to the above.

james mickelso · #5 03-24-2014, 12:48 AM

Take the phals out of the decorative pots that these are in and take pics so we can see what the real ot looks like. What are they both potted in (as if we didn't already guess). The plants are finished blooming and the spikes are dieing as happens naturally. Not to worry. But I'll bet you are killing both of them. Too much water and not enough air flow. Take some more pics of the plants out of those decorative pots please.

stuckonorchids · #6 03-25-2014, 12:11 AM

So neither of them are dying? Even the ones whims branches are now shrivelled up twigs?

Ok.. Well. I brought these orchids from a strore. They both came in that round ceramic pot, but one broke, so i simply put it into a cup, it fit perfectly.

I have grown attached to these orchids and will do whatever it is you guys advise me to do in order to make these healthy.

i took photos of them out the pot, and will wait for your instruction.

PS: SORRY FOR NOT ROTATING THE PHOTOS.

shushu45 · #7 03-25-2014, 12:23 AM

U caught the orchid bug!! Hehe. Yay!!

OK they look like they r in moss. As soon as possible repot them in orchid bark. U can buy that at Lowes and home depot. Soak the bark overnight in water and repot them into slightly bigger pots. Make sure u very very carfully remove all moss. Try not to damage any roots. There r lots of instructions on here and vids on YouTube on how to repot.

What just looking at the pix again and r these minis?? The pots they r in look like it.

james mickelso · #8 03-25-2014, 12:41 AM

They look ok but they are very wet and don't need to be. Orchids like air around their roots. They like to be watered and then be allowed to dry. The spikes are finished flowering and I would cut them off at the base. Go back in the beginners section and look for a thread about repotting phals that I wrote. It has pics that show you how to repot and not set back these phals. Your phal looks to have good roots but I just feel they are too wet which then will promote root rot. You can slowly, carefully get all the moss from the roots and then reuse the moss to repot these phals. The problem with them right now is the moss is packed in the pot waaaaaayyyyy too tightly. The roots can't breathe. The plastic pot they are in hasn't enough holes to properly aerate the roots. Look for my thread on repotting phals and it will show you what to do. If done properly your phal will re-bloom in about 4 to 6 months. The thread is posted on 3-09 and 3-10. Have a look.

stuckonorchids · #9 03-25-2014, 03:49 PM

thanks you guys/girls!

Will do this after work.

really want to keep them in good health.

I am not sure if they are minis or not. Sorry

dounoharm · #10 03-25-2014, 04:03 PM

ditto all the above! also, I am partial to clay pots, as they supply good air flow and drainage...they also are very stable and don't tip over! in the house, with poor humidity, I like to put the pot on a big plate of gravel, which is kept wet or moist to evaporate around the plant and elevate humidity...just don't sit your pot IN the water!...your plants look great, and will live for years and years with proper care....remember, orchids live in the trees mostly, and really only need media to hold them steady in the pot....they like air around their roots, which is why we use big hard bark chips! good luck!