Question
Hello,

Several months ago I gave a Phalaenopsis orchid to a friend. This plant was a reliable bloomer (2-3x/yr) for me so I thought that it would do well for her provided she followed my detailed care instructions.

Several weeks ago, she reported the Phal grew a secondary flower stalk with 9 buds on it from where the primary flower stalk was cut after if finished blooming. All was well until last week when all the buds dropped.

The plant is still in its original 4" pot with moss (I repot some orchids in bark but not always. I tend to be somewhat forgetful about watering so leave them as are sold, figuring the nursery must know what they're doing potting them in moss, right?)

I don't think my friend followed my instructions very carefully because the moss was very soggy when I went over to check out what was happening. So I lifted the rootball out of the pot - all the outside roots are mushy and rotted (kind of stinky, too). I didn't break apart the rootball to check the interior roots in case I'd make matters worse. But the air roots still look okay.

Sorry for the long explanation but I figure the more detailed the better you can help. Is there anything my friend can do to save this Phal? Thanks for your help.

Jason

Answer
Hi Jason,

I don't think your friend has the same feel for Orchids that you do. I am sure your instructions were appropriate, but your friend did not follow them, for whatever reason. Thus, I think the best thing you can do is take back the Orchid and see if you can nurse it back to health.

Remove all of the soggy moss and trim off all shriveled, soft or dark colored roots. That may leave only the rots that were not covered and rotted by the soggy moss, but that's okay.

Use fresh moss or Orchid potting mix that you are comfortable with and fill the smallest terra cotta pot that the remaining roots will fit into snugly. Once repotted in fresh media, a weekly watering should be about right. Be sure to provide lots of bright indirect light and warm temps for best results.

I have written an article on Orchid care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
or email me at [email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 (EST)
 
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com