Second spike on phal blooming, but leaves not looking good

[mickie09]

This is my first time getting an orchid to re-bloom!! Although I'm worried Because the leaves are not lookin so hot as u can see by the pictures. I had previously re potted it after old flowers fell off and before second spike came out. I had gotten it from Trader Joes, it was in a glass container with no holes ans extremely tightly packed moss, so when I repotted I had to trim away A LOT...most of the roots. But as you can see it was still healthy enough to re bloom. So what's with the papery leaves? They have seen getting worse and worse...I started with about six leaves and have taken three off since they were yellow and would have just fallen off anyway. When I repotted the leaves were extremely healthy...it's been about 4 months or so since the repotting from moss to bark. I water when it feels dry...so probably ever 5 to 7 days and feed every other watering. Help!!??

[mickie09]

here are the pictures

[mickie09]

sorry, computer not letting me load more than one at a time

[mickie09]

last one

[Gage]

Hi Mickie! Your plant is dehydrated. This is either because it isn't getting watered often enough, or because it has gotten too much water and the roots have rotted.

[Wynn Dee13]

It is dehydrated either from root rot or not enough watering. It also could be that it doesn't have enough roots to sustain the plant. It also could probably use higher humidity.

Just because an orchid blooms doesn't mean it is healthy. They will sometimes bloom when they think they are dying. It is sometimes called the death spike. If your plant is not doing well and it puts out a spike it is better to cut the spikes all the way off. Blooming takes a lot of energy. It's better to save the plant than the blooms. When you cut the spikes the plant will put its energy into new roots and new leaves.

I would cut those spikes off all the way and check the roots. Did you soak the new meadium before you repotted it? New medium doesn't hold water very well at first especially if you didn't soak it. Do you know what kind of humidity you have? You need to get it in a place with high humidity. After you check the roots let us know what they look like. A picture would be best. Those leaves won't rehydrate to how they were before. The plant will need to grow new ones.

[mickie09]

here are a couple pics i just took of the roots...one is dry and the other, i have been soaking them in water and some orchid food. I really dont want to cut off the spikes..but if the orchid is going to die then i guess thats my only option...what do you think based on the little roots that i have?

[mickie09]

dry

[LittleWatty]

Personally, I would definitely cut off the spike. Its hard to do, I know. I had to force myself to cut off two spikes that were trying to rebloom on an orchid that was slowly dying (about in the same condition yours is). Its still alive over a month later, so it did some good. With how few roots you have, the more energy it can put towards those roots, the better.

[Wynn Dee13]

It doesn't look good. I can see only a few small ok roots. If you want the plant to have a fighting chance you have to cut the spikes. Or enjoy the blooms as long as they last (which probably won't be long with the plant being in that condition) and buy a new plant when it dies. If you want the plant to live cut the spikes at the base of the plant and you need to put it in a warm humid spot untill it starts growing new roots.

There is two ways I would do this. (I'm sure other people have other opinions but this has worked for me.) One way would be to plant it in a small unglazed terra cotta clay pot with New Zealand sphagnum moss. Keep the moss moist but not sopping wet and don't pack it too tight. Then take a ziplock freezer bag that fits over the top of the pot and plant and cut the bottom corners off the bag. This is to keep humidity around the plant and the holes are for air flow. Keep the bottom of the pot out of the ziplock bag and close it around the pot. You can keep it open a little for more air flow if needed. Then keep it in a warm place in a spot that isn't as bright as you would normally keep the plant.

The second method would be to take a ziplock freezer bag that is big enough to fit the whole plant and cut the bottom corners off. You also want to cut a couple holes in the sides of the bag for more air flow. The bigger the bag the more holes. Then put some moist New Zealand sphagnum moss in the bottom of the bag and place the roots on the bed of the moist moss. This method is without the pot and just the bare root plant. You can also close the top as much as you want as long as it is getting air flow. I usually close it all the way at first and if it isn't getting enough air open it a little bit but the holes should be enough. Place the bag in the same warm spot as I mentioned above. Make sure the moss stays moist in both methods. Then when the plant starts to grow enough roots you can pot it the way you normally grow it.

I can post some pictures in a little while if you want me to show you what I mean. I am at the store right now so I can when I get home. Let me know if you need the pics. If you don't have any sphagnum moss and you can't find it around your house Lowes or Home Depot usually sells some sphagnum moss. I don't think it is New Zealand moss but it will do.