What's wrong??

[Zoe_aamir]

Hello - I'm completely new to orchids and to this forum (hello everyone!) and I came here because I know I'm doing something wrong. My orchid is losing all its leaves! It was a gift from my boyfriend and I really don't want it to die!

Please help!

Thank you!

[Ray]

It's really hard to say from that photo, but judging by the yellowing at the base of the remaining leaf, it looks as if the plant may have had crown rot, from letting water sit in the "cup" made by the leaves.

[MattWoelfsen]

That is crown rot. Unfortunately I am very familiar with this problem--killed many Phalaenopsis from inadvertent water retention--as Ray opined.

Folks around here will give you hope because these plants do produce keiki--little baby plant(s) that the dying plant tries to replace itself. That process is really encouraging.

[Zoe_aamir]

Ah thanks so much! I looked all over the web and wasn't sure what orchid ailment this is!

Thank you - any advice on how to combat it? I've read hydrogen peroxide and cinnamon as combatants against it? Would these be options?

Also sorry about the terrible photo - I had to take a snap as quickly as possible as I was already late for work but so worried for the plant I needed to post about it!

[MattWoelfsen]

Zoe, the best way to counter act this kind of problem, is preventative--when you water, water early in the day, get a paper towel and wick any moisture in the stem or crown of the plant--sometimes all it takes is to turn the plant upside down and gently shake it.

Plants that grow outside get water all the time, even at night...and the temperature changes. When we grow them inside, there are no environmental conditions that would help the plant--fresh air, stable temperature, etc. So we try to simulate outside conditions, inside.

This is a lot of verbiage! To summarize, water plant well, eliminate excess moisture in the plant's crown, place plant in a warm, bright shade location where it can get fresh air.

The cinnamon application is for when you have to surgically damage a leaf and you want to cauterize the wound. Hydrogen peroxide is another way to evaporate excess moisture in the crown or stem of the plant, as it evaporates quickly and it may also kill any pests hiding out.

[bil]

I am a spiteful SOB. Every time I water my phals, I fill the crown with water. So far, I can't persuade any of them to keep water in the crown, because the leaves let it out.
I'm open to correction, but I think that the only time that such wetting would be a problem is if the orchid is too cold. I never water at the end of the day, always at the beginning when temps are rising.

If you get crown rot, my guess is that something else started the crown rot and at best the water in there was a coup de grace. I cannot see a happy well treated orchid having this problem.

[Zoe_aamir]

Hmm I've only had it 2 weeks and watered it once... I Watered it again and avoided the crown area. Is that right? Made sure it all dripped out of the bottom of the pot.

My poor orchid I guess I'll hope for the best. Thanks so much for your advice Matt and to all of you guys.

If it pulls through I'll be so happy and if not my boyfriend said maybe a Bonsai tree would be best for me...

[bil]

Basically something is wrong. Wetting the crown really doesn't matter with a healthy happy orchid.

[sweetjblue]

Zoe,

If you've only had the plant for 2 weeks, I'd say the crown rot probably was already starting when it was bought due to the care given it by the seller. So don't be too hard on yourself.

Try another Phalaenopsis but before you do you might want to read this thread, good info. You'll know just about all that you should to keep it alive and thriving.
The Phal abuse ends here.


I'd also advise for you to check out pics of healthy plants so you know what they should look like when purchasing.
https://www.google.com/search?q=heal...w=1024&bih=653

And other plants with crown rot to know what to avoid.
https://www.google.com/search?q=phal...w=1024&bih=653


Good Luck!


Judi