Hello from Michigan!

[ehuber]

Hi Everyone!

I bought my first orchid (a Phal.) in March at an orchid show, and a few minutes later won a gorgeous Dendrobium in a prize drawing! Now I am addicted, and have acquired orchids much faster than I have acquired the knowledge and experience about them. So, I am looking to talk to some other peeps who love these amazing plants and who can give me a little advice....

I just moved to Michigan from New York a few weeks ago. Since I've been here I've bought a couple more orchids, usually from the "sad plants" tables at the Walmart. Unfortunately, even my healthy plants are starting to show some signs of wear and tear (dry spots on the leaves, burned looking edges to the leaves, and most alarming, four of the Brassidium's long leaves have just dried up almost completely in one day). They are all in south and east facing windows, so I don't think it's sunburn. However, I just read in my orchid book that soft water is horrible for orchids. EEK. The water in my apartment is so soft that it feels like your hands are soapy even after you've rinsed them for 10 minutes. Could it be that this soft water is what is causing the problem? I am probably guilty of overwatering as well.... Any suggestions? I was thinking of just leaving them alone for a couple of days, and then rinsing them through with distilled water.

Sorry to be so clueless! Thanks for any advice you can give!