What happened? (Orchid died)
 

I was wondering what happened to my moms orchid. It dried up and died. We just got it replaced with another because there was a year garentea but im wondering if it had a pest. We found white bugs on it once...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...d/000_0017.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...d/000_0016.jpg

It's hard to tell what was the killer based on this photo.
A possibility that might have happenned was that water got inbetween the leaves and into the crown. If the water doesn't dry it can cause an infection that leads to death.
How often were you watering?

Looks to me it's from overwatering and than once it showed signs of dying, underwatering caused the roots to dry up. We have all had our share of battles:fight with growing, makes the OB what it is today :cheer:. The moss is not a lover of phals, tends to retain water and could have kept the crown from drying out causing rot. A good way to identify crown rot would be that the area of where a new leaf is produced turns yellow to brown and is mushy in appearance. Phals like air movement which in return helps to dry the crown area before nightfall. I grow indoors and water my phal once a week with a flushing monthly and at that time I take a paper towel and go between the leaves and soak up the water left behind....just my 2 cents worth.

Looks like crown rot got it . I do the same as Cheryl after watering dry thier little faces . Sorry she lost it .That type of moss is not orchid friendly . Gin

Thanks for telling us! I think we have another orchid with that moss. What should we replace it with?

Hi Leafgirl, I totally agree with Gin. This type of moss should be used for decoration purposes (if that) certainly not all the way thru out the potted up roots. That type of moss is much to soggy, it's also important to keep ur mix loose for air control or you will see mold, mildew and rotted roots, Bleck!

They're are different things you can use for phals, Orchid bark, coarse sponge rok and charcol. I like spag. moss mixed with coarse rok.

Happy growing :D

Excellent suggestion Lagoon, a course medium would be my choice.