Gift Orchid is wilting...help?

[jessiebessie]

Hi there

My family received a beautiful orchid as a housewarming gift over a month ago. Could someone please identify this orchid for me and direct me to some info on how to take care of it?...All the stores say orchids are easy plants, but so far this one is no such thing! I've attached a couple photos.

Thank you from me and the poor orchid!
-J

[RandomGemini]

It's fine. The blooms are dropping because they are done. This orchid is a Phal.This is completely normal for them. There is a thread at the top of the beginner section called the Phal abuse ends here. Everything you need to know about phals is there.

[SlipperGirl]

Yes that is a phalaenopsis. I think you need to look at the roots, your leaves are wrinkled so it may be getting to much water or not enough. Let us know what the roots look like and we can help you from there.

It looks like you have a bud at the top of one of the stems so it probably it not dropping its blooms because it done flowering it could be because the change in environment or a problem at roots or something else.

[jessiebessie]

We've been afraid of overwatering so we've only watered it once; but now that I check, it's roots feel dry. We keep it by a window that faces the sunrise. We live in Florida and it's indoors because the salt has almost killed our other plants. I have a spray bottle of water that I use to keep other plants moist, do you think it's helpful to spray water on the leaves or down by the roots?

-J

[LovePhals]

What is that wrap around the pot? Orchid roots like air movement and airflow. I would make sure the orchid is getting some air movement and watered about 7-10 days depending on temps in your house/what it is potted in. If it is in moss, water less than you would bark chips. I also agree check the roots, they should be plump green or white.

The flowers are very pretty!

---------- Post added at 12:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:26 PM ----------

I was posting while you were posting also! I would cut off anything that is completely dry and doesn't change to darker green and plump when you water. Maybe down size in pot and change out the bark to fresh if you have some (that has been soaked a few hours). Also yes you should water more than once a month! The leaves are wrinkly and dropping flowers b/c it is thirsty. When you water don't just mist but soak the roots and get all the media wet.

[SlipperGirl]

Originally Posted by jessiebessie

We've been afraid of overwatering so we've only watered it once; but now that I check, it's roots feel dry. We keep it by a window that faces the sunrise. We live in Florida and it's indoors because the salt has almost killed our other plants. I have a spray bottle of water that I use to keep other plants moist, do you think it's helpful to spray water on the leaves or down by the roots?

-J

I think you need to repot your phal, trim off the dry roots with a sterilized knife when you repot it.

I agree with everything that lovephals just said

[jessiebessie]

Thank you! The inner pot is plastic, I don't think it allows for much airflow but I don't know of a pot that would. The potting material appears to be bark. And it is 72F in our house. I will trim some of the dead roots after a thorough watering. And then hopefully the flowers will perk back up soon!

[SlipperGirl]

Originally Posted by jessiebessie

Thank you! The inner pot is plastic, I don't think it allows for much airflow but I don't know of a pot that would.

Plastic pots are great! you will probably just need a smaller one then what you have.

Originally Posted by jessiebessie

And then hopefully the flowers will perk back up soon!

The flowers will probably not perk back up they will most likely fall off, but it could grow more on the same stem. I would just cut the stems off of the plant and let it focus on growing more roots and healthy leaves. It should bloom again next year

[dounoharm]

make sure that plastic pot has lots of drainage holes! orchids need lots of drainage...the plastic wrap on the outside of the pot is probably 'choking' it...you should remove that....if in bark, water every 7-10 days, and water thoroughly, copiously when you do and drain completely...good luck!

[Phal-lover]

This is a bit old, but I would just like to point out that this orchid has a side-spike, which means it will grow more flowers, hopefully you didn't cut the spike off yet!