Hello From New Mexico--New Orchid Grower

[MerCast]

Hello, I'm new to the site and to orchid growing and I'm trying so hard to keep this one alive! I've attempted two others and was clueless and now I'm taking it seriously and every time I had a question this site provided answers!
Right now I'm trying to sustain an orchid my husband gave to me for mother's day 2012. The flowers fell off, I cut it back, it grew a new spike, then we went on vacation ...
Unfortunately out house sitter didn't listen to instructions and OVER watered the poor dear. I've just taken it out and I'm trying to dry the roots out and I'm going to try to cut back some of the rotten ones...before I do anything though, I'm going to do my research.

[tucker85]

Welcome to Orchid Board!

[MerCast]

Thanks!!

[bellini girl]

and What kind of orchid do you have ?. A photo would help.

[cbuchman]

Glad you found us. Lots of good info here!

[MerCast]

I believe I have a Phal. When it did have flowers they were large and purple.
This is what I did:
I cut the roots -- I had about 3-4 green ones remaining
I cut the main spike and the new spike completely off
I repotted with "orchid soil" and some rocks to help drainage
I dabbed with cinnamon.
There was a new leaf growing before we left for vacation but it has since stopped...do you think it will start to grow again???

[MerCast]

I have not added more water as the roots were still very damp...any advice?

[Gage]

Welcome to the orchid world! I would remove the stones from atop the media to allow it to dry more quickly.

[MerCast]

Done and done! Thank you!

[RosieC]

Welcome!

How fine is the medium below those stones? It looks very fine and that may suffocate the roots of a phal.