Orchid leaves get watery and like a jelly, that's how it starts...
 

I have rescued a couple orchids from Lowes and Home Despot that shortly after the leaves start to get this jelly like feel to them, it works its way down the leaf and then to the stem, then it's like the whole plant becomes like that and just melts. I was wondering if there is anything I can do to prevent this from happening or treat it. Please help. Thank you.

I'm not sure which orchids you have but it sounds like it's probably an over watered phal? IF I had to buy from them, I would lift the plant out of the pot entirely to make sure it looks healthy. Buy the one that has the very least amount of this soft rotting look to it. Lift two out and compare, I promise even to a newbie's eye you will know which is healthier.Maybe you can find orchid suppliers around your area? Once you get a lot more info from them and places like this great forum:) you can go back to them with more confidence.
The best treatment is prevention which is why I would stay away from those sellers in the first place.
PS. I LOVE Bradenton. although it's been a while. Is it still a little bit like heaven?

I believe that is a bacterial infection, possibly an erwinia species.

If you are getting the plants already infected, there is little you can do. My guess is that it's originating with bad watering practices (letting water stand in the crown and leaf axils), coupled with their overall growing area being infected.

Physan will take care of in on contact, but once it's inside the plant, all you can do is cut off the affected parts.

Oh, I already knew that they were unhealthy. I have been able to save a few of them even when it looked like there was no hope left. I believe this is crown/leaf rot, but even after clearing the affected parts of the leaf, it continued to melt. I guess I should have clarified that. I apologize. What I really need to know is, what can be done about it? Is there any hope for orchids (so far two two phals and two dendrobiums saved from it, two phals lost) that are in this condition when the rotting continues?

Thanks Ray

Thank you too Swamper. Oh, and Bradenton, if you mean like heaven, only if heaven is flooded with gangs and prostitution. There are still parts that are beautiful though.

Depends on the workers I say. JK. No when I was there it was really quiet and the people were really nice. Too bad it turned to caca. Sorry to hear that.

I think that if you start lifting two plants right out of their pots, the store would insist you buy both! Don't know of any stores around here that would allow you to do that!

:)

Shirley,I guess that's pretty common practice around here. Of course I would do it in a gentle manner, one at a time. If I just grabbed them by the buds two at a time and yanked...LOL... well I'd probably get arrested and they would probably show me those obscure black and white pix and ask me what I see.

I have treated my phal with Physan 20 and cut the melty parts off, so we shall see what happens. I always check the roots at Lowes and Home Despot. If they ask me what I'm doing, I tell them that I've bought orchids from them that rotted and I don't like to spend money without knowing that what I'm getting is worth it. That's usually when I'm planning on buying one at full price though. I've made pals with the people at my local nurseries and garden centers, so they just let me do my thing. People skills come in handy when orchid shopping, that's for sure.