Orchids dying, why?

[james mickelso]

The phals look fine. The flowers are dropping because of a change in their environment. Either from the grower to the florist but most likely from the florist to you. My first question is...where do you live and what is your growing environment like? Yes the orchids come planted in spagnum moss and yes normally that isn't conducsive (why can't I spell today?) to good orchid growth. But remember that these were grown in this moss for at least two years or more and did fine. Ah and here is why. Good air movement (almost hurricane like) and warm temps. They were watered about every two weeks but the humidity was around 70-80% all the time with temps in the 70-80 degree range. "Perfect" conditions for phals. When we get them home, or they get to the florists store, they start to deteriorate. The florist (or big box store- until they die) keeps them for a week or so and by that time they are going downhill fast. And the first, and worst, thing we do when we get them home is.... to water them!!! Your phals are in good shape but need care. I can see from your picture that the roots that were in the spagnum moss have started to deteriorate but the roots that were on top of the rotting moss are in very good shape. Cut off the rotting roots, dab some cinnamon on the cut ends, plant in new medium to fine pine bark, sponge rock, charcol, and chopped up spagnum moss like Silken does. If all you can get is store bought mix, then sift out anything that seems a bit fine (smaller than 1/4 inch chunks). Chop the spagnum into 1 inch lengths and mix it into the bark mix about 1 handful moss to two handfuls bark mix. About right Silken? Then water well and leave alone for 7 to 10 days depending on the temps and humidity in your growing environment. Don't water unless the temps are over 80*f in your area. You can mist them daily with RO or distilled water if you like. That will help them alot. Then after that, water them thoroughly and feel the weight of the potted phal. When the pot feels light again, in about a week or so, then water again. Don't over water. That is the biggest mistake new owners make. Also cut off the spikes. Down to within an inch of the plant. Any regrowth of the spike will just set back the health of the plant. Plant in a small pot. The one it came in is fine. Make sure it has good size holes in it for air circulation and drainage. Also if you have a small fan, set this somewhere that will allow the plant to have good air movement. Plants get rid of their waste gasses by osmotic pressure. If the humidity is too high, they aren't as efficient. Air moving over their leaf surfaces (especially the undersides of the leaf) strips away the waste gasses and supplies them with CO2. At night it reverses and it supplies them with more O2. Anyway, new mix, good air movement, and warm temps will get you back to a blooming plant in no time. Good luck.
PS- here are a couple of pics from a recent phal rescue. The one hanging on the GH wall is about three weeks later from the first pic of it (the double phal). If you don't over water them after repotting, they will do very well.