Phalaenopsis orchid help!!
 

Hello all! My name is Kate and I'm new to both orchid owning and forum joining! I received an orchid as a gift in September after my mother passed away and so far have been able to keep it alive, or so I think :-/ the leaf is a dark green which I have read means it needs more light. I currently have it in the ceramic pot it came in, I added some mulch, nothing fancy just basic potting soil. I've been reading that it needs looser soil, more like bark, since they naturally grow in the holes in trees in humid climates.
I was wondering what is the best pot to use/type of soil/watering regiment??

I also know I need to cut the dead stems off but what is the best way to do that?

I'll post some pictures of my flower. Hopefully it's not too far gone! Thanks for any help you can give me.
Kate

It looks like soil at the top of the pot there. Is it in soil or orchid mix??
Well what u want to do it check the roots. That means pulling it out of the pot its in and checking the root ball. Green and firm is good black and mushy is bad.



And do I see a terminal spike??(to the other ppl who is helping)

It's just regular soil😬😬

It had a bud that was forming the past two weeks and just fell of yesterday. I'm planning on buying a pot tomorrow that is more orchid friendly, they have one at lowes that says "perfect for orchids" does this sound like a good plan?

The stem that is still growing seems to be trying to sprout a bloom.....maybe I'm being optimistic?



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Take it out immediately. Phal.s don't grow in soil. U new something like bettergro orchid mix. U can get it at lowes.

Phal.s live in trees and thus don't need soil to thrive. The roots help to exchange gasses in the air. So pretty much putting it suffocates in the soil.

Eeek! I'll go first thing tomorrow to get the needed supplies. Suggestions on a pot?


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An orchid pot would help a lot. But I don't think lowes sells them in plastic. I know they sell them in ceramic but they cost $$$$.

:welcomeflowers: to the OB!
Yes, do get that Phal. out of the soil, wash the roots off very well and cut oft the yucky roots. The pot size is dictated by the size of the root mass you have left. The roots should just fit into the pot, without squashing them. Cut off ALL spikes, close to the leaves. You can leave your plant bare root for a couple of days, while you hunt for a pot with good drainage and the coarse Orchid Bark Mix.
I have to run now, but will be back tomorrow. I'm guessing that our experts will have already given you sound advice, by the time I get back. :)

All of them? So it's just the leaf?


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Here is what I have after I cut the worst roots off. I think this plant might be a goner :-(

I'm still going to buy a pot and the coarse bark as suggested but this may be a lost cause?

Anybody want to give me false hope?! 😬


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Did I kill it?
 

After I washed and trimmed the worst looking roots