dying orchids!!

[RobS]

welcome

How do you define keep moist?

Many orchids like to dry between watering. Roots should become white also those in the bottem of the pots. There is some exceptions to that rule like the lady slippers. But most if not all don't like constant wet roots. If you take one of your dead / dying plants out of the pot how do the roots look: Brown / black and soft or hard white / lightbrown?

[RosieC]

For Phals you want to let them dry between waterings. There are some watering methods where they are kept moist but for beginners it is usually best to let them dry between waterings as that's the easiest way to stop them rotting.

For Oncs they are meant to be kept moist, but not wet. I've still not got a handle on how to get this right, but I was advised to work out how long it takes to dry, then water the day before it would have gone dry... so they still almost dry out, but don't entirely.