Yellowing of leaf, dried up root and white spots on Orchid bark??!!

[LucyN]

I just got a Phal for mother's day, so about a week ago, from my kids. It was purchased at Sam's club and it's grown by Costa Farms.
We have an aunt who has lots of orchids throughout her apartment and said all she does is put 3 ice cubes a week on the bark, not on top of the roots, which is what I've been doing for watering. As soon as I got it, I noticed that 2 pieces of it's roots were dried up. Yesteday we noticed the 3rd leaf, from the bottom up turning yellow. So I know it's not aging. And when I tried to check other roots for any black spots or other things, I found that some of the bark had white spots. I just cut the dried up pieces of the roots, only 2 pieces about 2 inches long each. Does anyone know what this could be.
The plant is inside a plastic pot w/ holes that sits inside a clay vase w/ glaze only on the outside. It sits on my kitchen table and does not receive direct sunlight.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, as Orchids are my favorite flowers and this is my 1st plant.
Thanks.

[kiki-do]

Welcome Lucy! Without pics, it's hard to say, but I would absolutely stop the ice cube routine.
To water your phal, use either one of two methods. Soak the plastic pot with roots and all in a tub of water that is room temperature for a few minutes, long enough so the roots can absorb the water it needs. Do not get water in the crown of the plant, though. Or hold the plant over the faucet (room temp water) until it's had a good soaking (again, avoid water going into the crown), then let drain. If you can see the roots, they will turn green and the pot will show moisture. Do not water again until the roots are somewhat whitish and you don't see the moisture beads any longer. It sounds like the ice has done some damage to the top roots, and that the plant is not getting sufficient water.

[kiki-do]

Oh, one more thing. I'm not sure what the white spots are without pictures. Does it look like a mealy bug? Or mineral/salt deposits? Pictures would definitely help.

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by kiki-do

Welcome Lucy! Without pics, it's hard to say, but I would absolutely stop the ice cube routine.
To water your phal, use either one of two methods. Soak the plastic pot with roots and all in a tub of water that is room temperature for a few minutes, long enough so the roots can absorb the water it needs. Do not get water in the crown of the plant, though. Or hold the plant over the faucet (room temp water) until it's had a good soaking (again, avoid water going into the crown), then let drain. If you can see the roots, they will turn green and the pot will show moisture. Do not water again until the roots are somewhat whitish and you don't see the moisture beads any longer. It sounds like the ice has done some damage to the top roots, and that the plant is not getting sufficient water.

I'm sure KiKi meant to say hold the plant UNDER the faucet...........LOL

Al

[kiki-do]

Originally Posted by Bird Song Farm

I'm sure KiKi meant to say hold the plant UNDER the faucet...........LOL

Al

Al, I'm so glad you have my back! Whew! Yes, UNDER the faucet.

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by kiki-do

Al, I'm so glad you have my back! Whew! Yes, UNDER the faucet.

Not to worry KiKi, we country bumpkins have to stick together!

It just struck me funny, I could picture the poor woman holding her plant over the faucet and wondering "why in H*** am I doing this?"
Al

[quiltingwacko]

Kiki if I was posting at 4:35 AM, I'd mess it up too. Go get some coffee. (It is magic....hold the orchid over the faucet....) Carol

[kiki-do]

Originally Posted by quiltingwacko

Kiki if I was posting at 4:35 AM, I'd mess it up too. Go get some coffee. (It is magic....hold the orchid over the faucet....) Carol

Yup, yup, as I'm ready this I thought it read "Hold the coffee over the faucet"......

[quiltingwacko]

Carol

[LucyN]

I'm having a little bit of trouble resizing my pictures.
But since it has been only a week since we bought the plant, my husband has decided to try and return it and buy another plant later from a reliable seller. The roots already came looking funny, so I'm thinking that it was not properly cared for before. I'll definetely be back for some more info when I get a new plant. Thank you so much for letting me know on how properly water the plant I appreciate it.