Help! dying Phal and don't know why, newbie..

[akang622]

Hi, this is my first post to the forum, I have been enjoying reading all your posts and getting tips since I'm a newbie orchid owner. Hopefully one of you can help me with my dying orchid!

I bought a Phal (not sure which type but have attached a pic) about 2 weeks ago and appears to be dying. So far 3 -4 blooms have fallen off, and there are still several unbloomed buds. The buds that were partially opened when I purchase it are starting to look darker in color and are closing up. I noticed this about 3 days ago and so I checked the soil, which seemed really dry. I watered it with tap water, pouring it through the plant a few times until the water drained out of the bottom of the pot. But it does not seem to be getting better, actually seems even more weak. The leaves however, have not changed or wilted, and seem healthy.

The orchid has been sitting in my room on a table, with indirect sunlight coming from a window about 3 feet away (window on the east side). The orchid is potted in a clear plastic pot which has slits for air, and I have put it into a decorative orchid pot which also has air holes.


I've attached pictures, one is when it was brand new (looks perky and healthy), and the other pictures are all shots of its current condition (close up, and roots).

Thank you in advance for your help!

[mehitabel]

Hi, akang. I've looked at your pictures. The picture of the plant itself is a little out of focus, but in general it looks ok.

The flowers are dying-- that can happen if the plant is too dry for even a short time. The flowers are sacrificed to spare the plant-- just as in frostbite the body sacrifices a finger or two to save ourselves.

The best advice I can give you is to learn more about phals by reading about them in several different sources.

Here is an url to culture notes from the Canadian Orchid Congress.

The Canadian Orchid Congress

Also check out the culture notes at Big Leaf Orchids (click information tab across the top) and at Bedford Orchids (scroll down to V A and B)

[akang622]

Thanks Mehitabel for the great info-sources! They are really comprehensive!