Dropping flowers and loosing leaves on phalaenopsis orchid

[Syfer64]

I bought an orchid for the first time a few weeks ago, the roots looked a little broken up on top, and a couple of leaves were a little busted up, but otherwise it looked ok, it had some good looking buds. I read that they don't like to be watered as much as other indoor plants, and that sometimes the moss they are sold with retains too much moisture. But, I also read that it is best to wait to report orchids after they have bloomed, and their blooms may last a very long time which is why I wasn't going to repot yet. The moss in the pot has not dried out at all since I brought it home and so I waited a couple weeks to water, not wanting to water too much. Eventually when I saw that the moss wasn't drying I figured I should go ahead and water it, so I took a sprayer and sprayed the sides and bottom, careful not to get the leaves or flowers wet. I also have a small humidifier in the room since I live in an arid climate. A couple of the buds began to open and bloom, but now the flowers are droopy, the other buds have dried up and falllen off, and it lost one of its leaves. I've never had an orchid before so please help to educate me on what I should do, thank you so much! I attached some pictures as well to give you a better idea of what is going on.

[Roberta]

Often flowers and buds will "blast" just due to a change in environment. If you cut the flower spikes a bit above the little bump below the lowest flower, it may send out a side branch and still bloom this season (in a month or two) If the moss is staying wet, it needs to be repotted right away. I suggest medium to large orchid bark. When you unpot it, you will probably find all or most roots rotted. Gently remove as much moss as you can, as well as the spongy outer part of the roots if they come off easily. The stringy center part of the rotted roots can still help hydrate the plant, and also stabilize it in the new bark so don't be too aggressive about removing anything that doesn't come loose with a gentle tug. Then, you can water it twice a week or so (put under faucet and let water run through the pot, then drain it before putting in a saucer) These plants are quite resilient, so it will probably do fine for you once it recovers a bit.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

From what I can see, your plant is growing in bark chunks, and not in moss. You are correct that you should let it dry out between waterings. If it's still moist, don't water. You can spray the roots hanging out of the pot. And, if it's really still moist after 2 weeks, I would guess the pot is too large for the plant.

Most orchids sold in markets have been growing in their medium for a while, so they are due for repotting. You can repot Phals in bloom; if roots are healthy it won't affect bloom lifespan.

The yellowing leaf may have sun damage. Phalaenopsis are better in bright shade, without any direct sun, until you are an advanced grower and can judge light better.

Air roots grown in very humid environments often shrivel when moved to a drier environment, like in many homes. If the roots in the medium are fine, this is not a problem. The plant will grow more roots.

The flowers are dropping because the plant isn't taking up enough water. Because the medium is moist, I suspect, along with Roberta, most of the roots are dead. I agree with her; I would unpot the orchid and repot into fresh bark. Depending on where you live, it can be difficult to find good bark locally. You might have to go to a good, family-run nursery. The bark sold at big box home improvement stores is often really not very good.

There is an excellent thread here on Orchid Board about growing Phalaenopsis:
The Phal abuse ends here.

And there is a thread about using wooden cooking skewers to test wetness inside pots:
Using skewers to determine when to water

Often a plant that looks like yours is actually near death, so be prepared. If the roots are all dead, it is possible to reroot the plant. Don't give up quite yet.

[Leafmite]

Hello and welcome!

I was given a Phal on Mother's Day and it was planted in moss. One can grow these orchids in many ways as long as the requirements are met. I took out the medium and gently placed the orchid's roots back into the plastic pot. In my case, there are enough roots to hold the orchid steady. When the roots turn white, I soak the orchid until the roots turn green again. I like being able to see the roots as it helps me to know when to water.

The ancestors of most Phals sold in box or grocerty stores grow on trees or rocks in warm, humid forests, their roots completely uncovered and exposed to the air. One can use a medium (bark or moss) to keep the air humid around the roots and to keep the orchid stable in its pot.

Good luck with your new orchid!