Question

Phalaenopsis ( i think   QUESTION: Hi
I received what i believe is a Phalaenopsis for valentines day. It did well for a few days and then started to die. The leaves fell off today and this is what it looks like.  I thought I saw bugs in the moss as well. But looked again and did not see any. Can this be saved?

ANSWER: Tara, I'm afraid the bad news, as you suspected, is that it is unlikely that this plant can recover. The potting mix is in poor condition leading to root rot.  When potting mix is in poor condition, it retains moisture and reduces air movement to the roots. It is generally recommended that the plant be repotted in fresh potting mix in a pot with 6 or more drainage holes after each flowering.  Unfortunately, the big box stores that sell orchids do not repot these plants sell them in freshly repotted condition .  They do not have staff familiar with orchid care so their main focus is to sell the plant as quickly as possible. if your plant has roots that are mushy and/or stringy, these roots are dead and cannot support plant growth.  You could try repotting it in fresh orchid potting mix, but, you should first check to see if you have any healthy roots that are firm. Some stores, such as Home Depot, have a return policy if you have a receipt.  I don't recall if the return policy is active during 30 or 60 days.

I have spoken to a couple of plant managers at a Home Depot selling orchids.  When I raised concerns about the way the orchids were being grown, the response was that they were grown consistent the advice of their suppliers. It appears that poor potting mix, at least in some cases, can be traced back to treatment by suppliers.  

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unknown orchid   QUESTION: Here is the second one. The leaves ane really limp

Answer
Tara, your picture shows only the flower and flower spike, but, limp leaves is the first stage in leaf loss and also reflects root rot.  While it is unlikely that the limp leaves will recover, you may be able to yet save this plant by repotting it in fresh orchid potting mix in a well drained pot.  Remember that the first step in this process (once you have the fresh potting mix) is to unpot the plant and remove any dead roots.  Let me know if you need any assistance in this process.  As a result of the repotting, you should get new leaf and root grwoth-- but it may take a couple of months.