For those of you also participating in the Daylilly forums as well, you may know SGB and PlantMania.
This is a take off of SGBs "New to the World".
I fell in love with orchids some time ago for reasons I cant narrow down. I have managed to very regrettably murder four plants given to me as gifts over the time.
Since, I have been reading books and your posts to try to figure out what I am doing incorrectly. Turns out, everything.
As cliche as it might sound, I am incredibly excited about learning so much more about this beautiful plant and all the species within.
Here is my attempt at helping my little phalaenopsis on its way to recovery.
Feedback will be much appreciated.

I should finish my earlier statement with SGB is my best friend and love, and PlantMania is my fun-loving father.
After posting, I realized I left that detail out.

@Mousenature, It would be helpful that when posting, we know your location. Please take a moment and go to your "Profile", updating it with your city/state or at least your USDA zone. Location can be everything when asking or giving advice on growing plants.

I will let others chime in on how to best grow Phalaenopsis orchids. I have approximately 400 orchids and find the Phal. the most difficult to grow. I quit even growing standards a couple of years ago and now only grow compacts, and even then, I mount all of mine. They seem to grow better and be far healthier when grown mounted, at least in my hands.

Hi Mousenature, to NGA

It looks like your Phalaenopsis could use a drink or doesn't have enough viable roots. When you turn that pot round and round, do you see any green roots up against the plastic? Is the moss dry? Are you growing your plants inside or out? If out, a location would be good.

Daisy

Thank you for letting me know about the location, drdawg! It is now updated.

Daisyl, unfortunately, when I got this little one, its roots were pretty well unhappy. I am trying to revive it.
I've hung it up outside in relative shade. No direct sunlight with lots of airflow in sphagnum moss. Of course, it hasn't had a chance to change much as the repot was only a few days ago.
Suggestions to revive an unhappy Phal?

@drdawg
Ken,

Remember when I ask about a good Orchid for my daughter .......... well I let you you two alone to talk it over now between yourselves :rofl:

to the dark side @Mousenature (bwaaah)

Get rid of that dying leaf. It may have Erwinia, aka. bacterial soft rot. Cut it with a razor blade as close to the base as possible and treat the wound with cinnamon. Be careful with the moss as it tends to hold moisture too long. Let it dry out a day before adding more water. I think the most important thing is keeping it out of the sun. Good luck and welcome to the Orchid Forum.

Jim

Mousenature!

Actually, your Phal doesn't look to "un"happy. But do as Jim has said and remove that leaf.

I have 1/2 dozen or so Phals, and my potting mix consists of the regular orchid bark that you find at Lowe's/Home Depot, etc. , plus a little bit, maybe 10-20 % of the sphagnum, mixed in. Being epiphytes, the airflow is of utmost importance.
Sounds like you're very much aware of the basics as far as the light...No direct sun, especially in the heat of the day. I also mist mine, in between thorough waterings. But make sure that you do any misting's, or waterings in the AM. They don't like to go to bed damp. Don't allow water to "pool" in the top of the plant. An invitation for crown rot, to be sure. Most of my Phals naturally grow at a 'slant', which enables quick drainage of water from the crown, though some insist on growing 'straight' up. These I double check to make sure that the crown is dry.

I think you're well on you're way to "reviving", and growing a beautiful plant! You'll start to see new, plump roots in no time!
Good Luck with it, and let us know how it continues to develop!

And again, to the Orchid forum!

Hello Mousenature! Orchid growers have their own preferences in what media to use in growing their orchids. For me personally, if that were my plant, I would do away with sphagnum moss. I find it hard to see if it is fully dried out at the center, and oftentimes the plant will suffer collar rot. I would rather use chunky bark mix till you get used to its growing habit and later on a different media that will allow more airflow at the root zone.

Phal roots are thicker, and it does take awhile for it to acclimate, so be very, very patient. I have always found them to enjoy cooler temps by giving it nice shade but kept drier. It does rest for awhile in summer, as it slowly redirects energy to grow new roots and leaves. I would also do as Jim advised, remove the dead leaf to clean it up.

hawkarica said:Get rid of that dying leaf. It may have Erwinia, aka. bacterial soft rot. Cut it with a razor blade as close to the base as possible and treat the wound with cinnamon. Be careful with the moss as it tends to hold moisture too long. Let it dry out a day before adding more water. I think the most important thing is keeping it out of the sun. Good luck and welcome to the Orchid Forum.

Jim

@hawkarica, What does the cinnamon do on the cut/would of an orchid?

Cinnamon is a natural fungicide..it will help the cut heal quickly and keep fungus at bay. I get mine at the dollar store and use it with reckless abandon!..the stuff at the supermarket is 5 times the price!

Yes, or you could get it at Sam's Club if you have a lot of orchids.

Jim

I heard that for us. If your not feeling good/sick you could mix it with honey and its suppose to be an all natural cure all type of thing. I didn't know that it would be ok on plants.

Yes, I use it too on my Orchids and the nice smell is a bonus!