Help is this Orchid dying?

[Dollythehun]

Can you take a clearer picture of the leaves? Also, a clip on plant light might help as it seems pretty dark in there.

[nogreenthumbs]

Those pictures are super tiny and very dark. when you take a picture, make sure the window isn't behind the plant because the camera/phone will try to expose for the window and the plant will be a dark silhouette. It's better if the window is behind you and the plant is in front of you.

[Bean0016]

Ok here are better pictures and larger

[Roberta]

Losing flowers is natural - blooming takes energy, and the plant needs to regenerate. The plant looks quite healthy. I would also be inclined to leave the bare spike as long as its green... sometimes it will produce another branch and more flowers. You can cut it if it bothers you, but I have found "surprise rewards" when I don't cut anything green.

It no doubt needs repotting - usually these "ornamental" plants are potted in sphagnum moss, which is broken down or packed solid or both, eventually killing off the roots. You should soak it well, then gently remove as much of it as you can (but if it's a choice between leaving a little old media and breaking roots, leave the old media bits) Small orchid bark would be best. You'll have to water a little more often, but the plant will benefit from the air that nice new bark provides around the roots.

As for little white stuff... no doubt mealy bugs (I joke that "Phalaenopsis" is Latin for "Mealy Bug Magnet". A little rubbing alcohol (70%) on a cotton swab will do fine with one or two. Or put a sprayer into that alcohol bottle, and spray the undersides of the leaves and any place else you see them. It evaporates, does no harm to either the plant or people or pets that may be around. If they come back, there are other remedies... you'll find plenty of advice on this forum. And Welcome!

[jkofferdahl]

The pictures are quite dark, and it's impossible to see any "white stuff" due to that. However, as they appear in your photos the plants seem healthy. Not even a Phalaenopsis stays in bloom forever. Why are you worried that plant is going to die just because it's lost the flowers? Roses don't, azaleas don't - I frankly can think of very, very few perrennial plants that die after blooming.

[Dollythehun]

In the forums categories on the left, go to phalanopis and look for a thread titled The Phal Abuse Stops Here." You'll find a wealth of information.

I also noticed the white stuff on the newest right hand leaf. I agree with Roberta on mealy bugs, however, you will have to stay after them. They hide well and you can have another outbreak if you don't treat the plant repeatedly. A good systemic insecticide like Bayer 3 in 2 will work well to spray on.

[rbarata]

Imidacloprid or thiacloprid will kill them all in 3 applications (once per week).

[nogreenthumbs]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

. A good systemic insecticide like Bayer 3 in 2 will work well to spray on.

Bayer 3 in 2 or should that be Bayer 3 in 1?

[Dollythehun]

Typo. Bayer 3 I n 1. It comes in a blue bottle. It's a systemic spray but there are drenches also. I've never used the drench except on my ash trees.

[jkofferdahl]

OOH!!! If the "white stuff" is mealy bugs then you need to go to war. Got a systemic insecticide and go to work. If you don't kill them ALL, they can quickly decimate your entire collection.