Avatar for Plant35
Dec 3, 2020 7:13 PM CST
Thread OP
Oklahoma
Hi! I'm new here and have been taking care of an orchid that my office has had for a while. It was moved to a new pot and orchid soil a few months ago, then an ice storm hit that knocked out the power for 2 weeks. Recently it has dropped one leaf and looks like it will drop another! The rhizome is turning yellow and black and there are small bugs crawling in between the roots😟. I want to know what to do to save it!
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Dec 3, 2020 8:09 PM CST
Name: Big Bill
Livonia Michigan (Zone 6a)
If you need to relax, grow plants!!
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It needed repotting at least 6 months ago. The media you are using is rather dry and not holding enough moisture. How often are you watering it? You should be watering it every three or four days. And when you water it, water should really pour out the drainage holes.
The pot you use needs is own drainage holes. You should not attempt to grow them inside a pot inside of another pot.
It looks like it is in either a 10" or an 12" pot. A plant that size with only a few live roots, should be in either a 4" or 5" pot. Again, water it good every three or four days.
They can not live in direct sun but they won't grow in a dark area either. North or East window should work.
Fertilize weakly 3-4 times a year.
Try to use pieces of bark, 1/4"-3/8" inch in size. That size will hold more water. They respond well to repotting and usually produce new roots in 4-6 weeks.

Please join us in our Orchid Forums! There are numerous threads and stickies there on growing Phalaenopsis. One in particular "Supermarket Orchids- Phalaenopsis. If you scroll through that sticky and read the comments, you will learn so much!

It is "orchid media", not orchid soil. Soil will kill any Epiphytic orchid quickly!!!
Orchid lecturer, teacher and judge. Retired Wildlife Biologist. Supervisor of a nature preserve up until I retired.
Last edited by BigBill Dec 3, 2020 8:11 PM Icon for preview
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Dec 3, 2020 8:43 PM CST
Name: Sally
central Maryland (Zone 7b)
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Hi, Welcome!
I like the videos by "MissOrchidGirl" about Phalaenopsis (that is the kind you have) Would help you understand how these are different from ' usual' plants and how to see what are healthy roots, how to pot, etc. You still have a couple good leaves and I think it is not too surprising nor disastrous for an old leaf to die. (Though I am amateur at orchids. )
Plant it and they will come.
Avatar for Plant35
Dec 4, 2020 6:57 PM CST
Thread OP
Oklahoma
Thank you guys so much! I reported it into a smaller pot and gave it a good soak in the sink the roots look so much better already! I had to cut off a ton of dead roots but the ones left look plump and healthy. It still looks wilted and the leaves are leathery, but it's only been a day. The dying leaf fell off quite easily. I'm still very concerned about it but I'll give it time. The leaves are pretty dark and im worried its not getting enough light. I broke up the bark size and mixed it with some spagnum moss. If there is anything else I should be doing please let me know! Here are some pictures of it now. Thank You!
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Dec 4, 2020 7:25 PM CST
Name: Big Bill
Livonia Michigan (Zone 6a)
If you need to relax, grow plants!!
Bee Lover Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Orchids Region: Michigan Hostas Growing under artificial light
Echinacea Critters Allowed Cat Lover Butterflies Birds Region: United States of America
Re-read my light recommendation above. Your plant is very stressed. More light is not really needed and it will stress it more.
Once you see big new roots penetrating into the media, those leaves will perk up. Your Phalaenopsis did not get into trouble overnight, it took weeks. Stands to reason it will take weeks to bounce back. Patience!
Orchid lecturer, teacher and judge. Retired Wildlife Biologist. Supervisor of a nature preserve up until I retired.
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Dec 4, 2020 8:39 PM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
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I'd also like to suggest you gently tug it over so it's not facing straight up. You never want water to sit in the cup of leaves on a Phal. It's an invitation to crown rot. Slant the plant over enough so that the water drains off the leaves.

In nature these plants grow on the sides of trees and branches with the leaves hanging downwards like a dog's ears. The flowers naturally cascade down too, they do not stand up like you see them at the store. Growers stake them vertically so they can fit more blooming plants in a box to ship.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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