Need Help With My Orchid (newbie)
 

Hi all, I bought this orchid more than two years ago for my girlfriend (now fiancee). It means a lot to me and I'm worried about it.

The short story:

The blooms died and fell off shortly after buying it. I did some basic research and ended up cutting the spikes down completely (they seemed dead). I also repotted it into the Phal Classic Orchid Mix from re-pot me (I believe this is a Phal, but not sure... got it at Trader Joe's).

Unfortunately, it has never spiked since this all happened :((

However, throughout the process it has grown new roots and new leaves. That being said, every time a new leaf develops the bottom most one seems to sort of shrivel near the stem of the plant, split, and turn yellow like it's about to die. This has happened a few times and I end up cutting that leaf off.

I'm not sure what to do at this point and hoping for some advice. I really want to get this orchid to thrive, please help!

Here are some photos I just took after removing it from the pot and material:

---------- Post added at 07:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:34 PM ----------

Ugh, for some reason I'm getting an error when trying to include the pictures :-(

Welcome to the orchidboard!!!

I believe you need 5 posts before you can post pictures, but you can post them in your gallery. The pictures will definitely help us in assisting you with your plant.

Yes. Just go through some posts. Ogle some pretty orchids. Comment. Then post your pictures. Or try the gallery :)

ugh, what a dumb rule... be back hopefully with the pics!

You don't mention how often you fertilize. In my experience, an otherwise healthy plant that is not blooming, isn't getting something it needs. If you have new leaves and new roots... I'm thinking it might be down to needing fertilizer.

I'll admit, I almost never fertilize.
http://i60.tinypic.com/2yovcao.jpg

---------- Post added at 10:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:03 PM ----------

OK, one more:

http://i61.tinypic.com/flbojt.jpg

---------- Post added at 10:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:07 PM ----------

My thought here is that the bottom 4 roots look to be really struggling. They feel a little damp like maybe they were getting too much water.

Also, the base or stem on that part is really hard and almost brittle feeling. I feel like I should cut that whole section off and let it revitalize itself?

You need to fertilize. There are not a lot of roots here. Maybe not enough to support blooming. You can pick up better gro orchid plus fertilizer at lowe's. I mix one quarter teaspoon to one gallon of water and use this once a week.

You should only water this once every 7 to 10 days. These plants like to dry out between waterings. Also, what is it potted in? I have one that came potted in a plastic pot that had a drain hole on the bottom and that was it. I repotted it into a Starbucks cup (grande size) and cut holes for drainage and in the sides, to get more air flow around the roots and saw explosive root growth after doing this.

This is trying to survive but something keeps limiting it's potential. If you repotted it, it's most likely in too large a pot and is staying too wet. For this phal you need to pot it in something less than 3 inches across. I prefer clay but anything will work. I would also opt for a more open media in which to repot this so the roots can breathe a little more. Give it more light too. The color on my screen looks a little too dark. Once potted keep it warm. 70*f or more. The leaves that kept turning yellow are all that has kept this phal growing. Phals store their nutrients and water in their leaves and roots so the leaves turning yellow were telling you they needed some help. Fertilize this only after it has started growing a new leaf and some roots. Go to a hydroponics store and find some seaweed extract to help stimulate root growth. This wouldn't, couldn't flower because it didn't have enough energy to do so. It will need an additional 2 new leaves and 4 more roots to be healthy enough to bloom. But once it does, it will stay in bloom for months. It is easy to grow these phals if you give them what they need. Decent light, good clean water, some fertilizer, and warmth. Now get going!!!!

Thanks all, I'm including photos of the pot and the potting material.

Here is a link to the material:

Phalaenopsis Gold Classic Orchid Mix

I thought it was a light issue too, so I moved it to the most East facing window in our house. It's been there for about a week. I also had a hunch that the material gets too compacted, especially after a few months of watering.

Because of that, I order some of this today:

Amazon.com: Sun Bulb 5002 Better-Gro Special Orchid Mix, 8 Quarts: Patio, Lawn & Garden

I hope that's better. Here are the photos... the pot is exactly three inches in diameter at the top:

http://i59.tinypic.com/9ps286.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/t8rpqp.jpg

---------- Post added at 11:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:42 PM ----------

Also, there WERE more roots when I took it out of the medium today. However, they were definitely dead. I touched them and they literally fell off.

James has excellent advice. And like what RandomGemini said, the other thing I would caution you of is making sure you do not over water. It's very important to let it dry between watering. I am assuming that the mushy roots a were caused by staying too wet. Wishing you good growing!