Phalaenopsis Orchid with yellow/brown leaves

[Arose66]

Hello everyone! This is my first ever post on any orchid discussion board, as I have been unable to find answers online as to what is wrong with my orchid! I am new to the world of orchids (I received my phalaenopsis orchid as a gift in April for my birthday) and I want to do everything I can to to keep it alive and blooming.

I live in an apartment without any sort of backyard area so my orchid is an indoor plant. I have a few windows however my apartment is pretty small and I know my orchid doesn't get as much light as it probably should.

The first time I watered my orchid I had no idea what I was doing and I accidentally let it sit in water for 3 or 4 days. I realized my mistake and drained the excess water from my pot, and have only re-watered it (properly this time) one time since. I recently purchased "miracle grow orchid food" which I plan on using the next time I water.

My orchid began losing its flowers about one month after I received it, with all of them falling off about 2-3 weeks ago. Since then my orchid leaves have turned yellow and brown on the tips, and have started wilting as well. The newer leaves at the base of the plant are completely yellow and very moist feeling when compared to the more established green leaves on the rest of the plant. The stem of my orchid has very recently dried and curled up at the end. When I take it out of the pot to look at the roots, although many of them are green some do have a brownish appearance indicating root rot.

My orchid is definitely dehydrated, but I'm having trouble figuring out if it's because of under or over-watering. As far as the existing damage goes, should I cut off the seemingly dying leaves? What about the roots, is it possible it needs to be re-potted? Maybe my apartment just isn't suitable to have an orchid? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I will attach pictures below!

[Roberta]

First, welcome!

The loss of the flowers is completely normal. The fact that you are losing leaves beyond just the oldest ones is of concern. The newest leaves look OK, so with a bit of care the plant should recover. It does look like you have some good roots, at least against the pot. My suspecion is that the center roots, however, are not good. I'd suggest getting the plant out of the pot, and into better medium. Try to get the old moss off (but if you can't get it all, leave what can't be removed easily) I would suggest bark, rather than sphagnum because it has air spaces that these orchids love, and is harder to overwater (but then, it will need watering more, like once or twice a week)

Your apartment should be fine as a location - Phalaenopsis like the same temperatures that we do, and relatively low light. (but may not get enough hours through the window) The last problem is easy to solve... a lamp with LED or CFL bulb that gives full spectrum light, on a timer 12 hours a day. The plant will grow with less light, but to bloom it benefits from more. But first, repot. That will inspire it to grow some new roots.

After you get it out of the pot, if you post pictures, the many experience participants of this forum will have plenty of good advice for you.

[rbarata]

Just out of curiousity....did you took these photos after watering or the medium stays that wet for several days?

[Arose66]

I took these photos this morning and I haven't watered for about a week and a half maybe two

---------- Post added at 03:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:09 PM ----------

Thank you so much for your reply! Tomorrow is my day off so I plan on visiting the hardware store and re-potting. I'll update ASAP!

[rbarata]

I don't know your humidity levels but after a week and a half the medium should not be that wet...nor even close.
That's a recipe for root rot.

[Arose66]

Originally Posted by rbarata

I don't know your humidity levels but after a week and a half the medium should not be that wet...nor even close.
That's a recipe for root rot.

I'll definitely re-pot into another medium tomorrow, thank you for your help!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

The leaves might have sunburn, especially since the yellow ones are all on one side. Phals are shade plants, and don't ever need direct sun shining on their leaves. Any chance you had it in a sunny window?

There is an excellent thread here on growing Phals. In the left yellow menu select Forums, then Beginners. Near the top look for the sticky thread The Phal abuse stops here.

[Arose66]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

The leaves might have sunburn, especially since the yellow ones are all on one side. Phals are shade plants, and don't ever need direct sun shining on their leaves. Any chance you had it in a sunny window?

There is an excellent thread here on growing Phals. In the left yellow menu select Forums, then Beginners. Near the top look for the sticky thread The Phal abuse stops here.

I did have it on my coffee table which is relatively close to the window in my living room. Maybe that's what caused it? Thank you for the advice! I'll go check out that thread

[Arose66]

Hey everyone!

So I went to the hardware store today and picked up a ventilated pot and some new potting mix (bark) for my orchid. When I cleaned the old medium off of my orchid's roots it was very wet still (despite not watering in at least a week and a half almost two). I removed the outer portion of the medium quite easily, however the inner portion was a different story. The medium at the core of the roots was completely broken down and almost all of the roots in that area were totally rotted. I cut off the roots that were obviously dead and re-potted with my new supplies.

Due to the fact that my orchid's roots have been wet for so long, and that I used water on them today to wash off the rotted potting medium, should I hold off on watering for a few days? Is it bad to leave my orchid's roots in totally dry bark? Also, how long should it be before I notice an improvement in my orchid's health? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I will attach picture of my re-potting process below. Thank you everyone for the help!

[Kingianum]

Still plenty good roots. It will be fine. Check out the sticky thread of using skewers to determine when to water

I'd leave it for another week before watering it again as the roots look well hydrated now.

Good airflow is also beneficial for the plan.