Half of orchid is dying - Orchid Board

kjackson · #1 08-09-2010, 01:27 PM

Hello,

I'm new to orchids and embarrased to admit I fell for one of the "just add ice" orchids at the grocery store. I've had it about 10 days, sitting in the window in my office which gets pretty good light.

The weird thing is that there are two stems on the plant; one is doing beautifully with four healthy blooms, the other one is dying! All of its blooms have fallen off and it's turning yellow (the stem).

What can I do to save it?

Thanks,

Karen

marydaniellesantos · #2 08-09-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjackson

Hello,

I'm new to orchids and embarrased to admit I fell for one of the "just add ice" orchids at the grocery store. I've had it about 10 days, sitting in the window in my office which gets pretty good light.

The weird thing is that there are two stems on the plant; one is doing beautifully with four healthy blooms, the other one is dying! All of its blooms have fallen off and it's turning yellow (the stem).

What can I do to save it?

Thanks,

Karen

Don't be embarrassed. I own one also, there's no shame in saving those ones from perpetual doom. As for the spike, it is just done blooming, and it's normal for them to die down. When it does die completely down, just cut it off. Or you can do it now, and on the cut, put ground cinnamon to prevent infections.

RosieC · #3 08-09-2010, 02:04 PM

I don't advise the 'just add ice' method (although it has worked for some), but there is no reason the orchid should not do well for you if you care for it properly.

It could be just as Mary has said. That the spike was done flowering, maybe it opened before the other.

When you bought it were the flowers fully opened or where there some buds left. If they were fully open then you don't now how long it's been flowering for already in which case it could just have finished.

CTB · #4 08-09-2010, 02:05 PM

Welcome to the Orchid Board, hope you'll make lots of posts with pics too. Many, many friendly folks here to answer all your questions.
Sounds like your orchid is doing just fine, very normal behavior. Enjoy!

RosieC · #5 08-09-2010, 02:06 PM

If un-opened buds have dropped, that could either be just the change in enviroment or it could be a sign of problems.

You may well want to check the roots, to ensure they are firm. If roots are soft/mushy/hollow then they are bad. One or two hollow ones are fine, but you don't want mushy/soft ones as it indicates rot.

I would advise carefully tipping it out the pot and taking a look, if everything is fine you can always just put it all back in.

RosieC · #6 08-09-2010, 02:06 PM

One last question... what is it potted in?

Moss can be a probablem for many people although some like it.

marydaniellesantos · #7 08-09-2010, 02:08 PM

I agree with Rosie, I water mine with luke warm water, and it's doing fantastic.

jenmonkey · #8 08-09-2010, 03:47 PM

I have a mini-Phal that I rescued from the local Safeway that did fine for a while, then lost all its blooms to an infection when I went away for the weekend. I cut off all the dead and rotting roots, cut off the yellowing part well into the green, put cinnamon on the cuts, and repotted in bark soaked in rooting solution and fertilizer.

I am happy to report that the little guy is healthy again, and is happily growing a new leaf!! I am confident that it will come back strong, and I fully believe that anytime you pick up an orchid from the grocery store, you are rescuing it from certain death. Congratulations!

I also just rescued the world's most beautiful and pristine Zygopetalum from Trader Joe's, and that one is blooming like mad! Keep rescuing those 'chids!!

kjackson · #9 08-09-2010, 04:09 PM

Well, I do believe the blooms were all fully bloomed. I'll check to see what it's potted in, and check the roots as well.

Karen

kjackson · #10 08-09-2010, 04:13 PM

Where IS a good place to buy orchids?