Question
Sir,
I have a Phalaenopsis orchid that I have had for about 3 months. I have placed it in my living room bay window (does not receive direct sunlight but still gets plenty of light), I give it 3 ice cubes 1x per week as I was instructed to do on the care card. In the past 2 weeks it has begun to wilt. The flowers are still attached but they are looking sickly and sad, as well as the leaves. 2 of the leaves have already browned and died. I'm not sure what I should do about it to keep it alive. The temp of my house is a constant 72 degrees. I thought that I was following the care instructio exactly but I am very worries. I hope my beautiful orchid has a promising future.
Thank you very much

Answer
Tomasiena,  the "ice cube" method is not a genrally accepted way to grow phalaenopsis orchids.  When ice cubes melt, they initially produce ice water.  These orchids prefer room temperature water.  Secondly, when ice cubes melt, the resulting water will make some parts of the root zone too dry and others too wet. I know of no commercial grower who uses this method.

It is likely that root rot has set in.  To check this, unpot your plant and rinse off the roots.  Any mushy roots are dead and are the cause for the plant going down hill.  Healthy roots are firm and should be retained-- the mushy roots need to be cut off.  Repot your plant in fresh orchid potting mix (containing fir bark).  Soak the potting mix prior to use (dry fir bark repels water) and soaking it will break down the water repellancy.  Repot to a pot that has lots of drainage holes in it.  Let the pot stand over night to drain and then move it to your growing area.  Water it thoroughly once per week with room temperature water.  Sickly leaves will eventually fall from the plant.  Hopefully you have a few good leaves and roots.  If so, in a month or so the plant should start to grow both new roots and leaves.