Leaves fell off orchid

[Tourniquet]

I was gifted an orchid when my daughter was born and don't really know much about them or their care other than some random info I've acquired from google. I've had this orchid for just over three months and it's been doing well, flowering lots. We left home for a week and upon returning I noticed that all three of the leaves it had fell off and were very wet/gooey at the base but still firm at the tip. The flowers also look like they are all dying and the root/spike(?) where the leaves were attached is very wet and spongy. Is there anything I can do to save it? Any ideas what I may have done wrong?

[nogreenthumbs]

great, I see that you were able to post photos in this thread.

I'm no expert, but it sounds like rot. Did it get watered while you were gone or differently just before you left? Did it get unusually hot or cold while you were gone? It may not have been something that you did as well. What sort of media/soil/stuff is it potted in? Have you repotted it since you received it?

You came to the right place, the folks here will be able to tell you the most likely problem and what if anything can be done.

I'm far from expert, and I'm sure some other folks will come along with better, more detailed info here shortly. If that's a phalaenopsis, then I think there maybe hope. Some folks here have been able to restore (takes time) a phal from pretty dire looking circumstances. I think it may be important to see what the plant looks like below the surface.

I would suggest waiting for one or two of the more experienced folks to respond before doing anything.

---------- Post added at 03:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:10 PM ----------

From your other thread. This one will be best to use since it's got the pictures.

Originally Posted by Tourniquet

It didn't get way water while I was gone, my house may have been warmer than usual but not by much as we have central air. I think it is in peat moss and I have not reported it since receiving it. I usually water it just enough to wet everything once a week.

[Tourniquet]

It didn't get any water while I was gone, my house may have been warmer than usual but not by much as we have central air. I think it is in peat moss and I have not repotted it since receiving it. I usually water it just enough to wet everything once a week.

---------- Post added at 02:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------

Thanks! I was struggling trying to post from my phone, is there a way for me to delete the other thread? I haven't been successful in figuring that out myself.

[nogreenthumbs]

I don't know if there is. I tried to delete my post from your other thread and couldn't find a way.

[estación seca]

It was probably already terminal when you left for the trip. The pot is probably far too big for the plant, and the medium appears to be coir chips. These hold a large amount of water. I would guess it was too wet for too long. Big white and pink Phalaenopsis hybrids generally do better going dry between waterings.

Most florist and supermarket Phals are destined to die. They are sold in combinations of container / medium staying soggy wet for too long. Most of us repot this kind of plant on arrival, and normally find lots of rotten roots at the time of purchase.

There are good threads here on caring for Phals:
The Phal abuse ends here.

and determining how wet it is inside the pot:
Using skewers to determine when to water

I don't think you can remove a thread to which other people have posted. Moderators are able to do so, I believe.

[bil]

It's gone to the great compost heap in the sky.

The next one you get, pot it in coarse bak, and nothing else. You will need to water it more often, but the good thing is that in coarse bark with no fines, it is impossible to overwater it.
Also size of pot doesn't matter then.

[Tourniquet]

Thanks, I guess I'll know better for next time

[DeaC]

Congrats on the birth! But I would urge you to do some research on this particular orchid before you want to get started again. They're (phalaenopsis) not difficult as long as you can provide the growing conditions(media,temps,pot size etc.) that will give you success. This is a wonderful hobby and folks here are very helpful.

[Tourniquet]

I will do some research before I try again! The newborn stage didn't lend too much time for information gathering unfortunately!

[Bulbopedilum]

Sometimes if you take extra good care, seemingly dead orchids can come back to LIFE! Yes, that is right! BUT, even though I "revived" my oncidium, I only saved it instead of reviving it. It was all dry though, so it's just like getting into a hotel after 5 weeks in a dessert with minimal water. I am not a revival expert, but I am pretty sure that one's pretty dead, from the goopy description of the base. My message is, don't give up!!