Question
Hi there,

I have found success in a growing orchid interest.  But I have run into one large panic situation that I have decided to consult an expert on.  

I have a large phal. that was given to me as a gift about 5 months ago, purchased from a flower shop, and it was quite mature-- most of my other orchids are smaller, purchased at groceries, or whole foods shops, etc.  So as you can see, this orchid is a bit more intimidating, because of the age and maturity.  I've been very careful with it, and it has held it's blooms for all these months since May.  I had to do an emergency repot back in May, because the humidity level was different with my home, and the potting mix wasn't appropriate.  That was a success, and the plant continued to bloom- about 30 large blooms!  

Now, the problem... I moved recently, and not to make excuses, but I stopped my careful observation and was simply watering my orchid collection (they are in a great spot, under a skylight) without carefully observing them afterwards.  I left a large puddle of water in the pockets of the top two leaves of my big orchid.  It completely rotted all of the leaves away and I only noticed it after about 3 days later- from a smell.  I touched the orchid leaves, to collect the puddle, and the leaves just fell right off.  Every single leaf is gone!  I'm terribly upset, and am concerned that now that the plant has no leaves, will it not make it without a storage supply in the leaf?  Is there anything I can do to mend my negligence???  The plant is still in bloom, one stalk with about 6 blooms about the size of my hand.  Should I chop that off, so it can gain enough energy to push out another shoot.  Should I repot, to get rid of the moisture issue?

I would really appreciate your help- I'm panicking!!!

Katherine

Answer
Katherine, if your emergency repot was done with a quality orchid potting mix which contained fir bark and the pot had lots of drainage holes you should be okay.  If the answer to either of these questions isno, then you will need to repot.  If you repot, check the orchid roots to be sure you have healthy firm orchid roots.  Remove any roots that are mushy before repotting.  If you do not repot, do not water for at least a week as the potting mix should nearly dry out between waterings.  Large pots with lots of potting mix may take longer to dry out than smaller pots.

Whether or not the plant will grow new leaves depends upon whether or not the growing point at the base of the leaves rotted as water may have stood in that region.  You may have healthy roots but never get another healthy leaf if the growing point has been destroyed.  I like the idea of cutting the old flower spike-- do it just above a node (ie joint). If the growing point has been destroyed, the green flower spike may be a way to rescue the plant.  Sometimes, a new plant will develop at a node.  That plant can develop its own leaves and roots and, when potted up, will be a clone of the mother plant.  This, of course, will take a considerable lapse of time (ie several months).  Some phalaenopsis hybrids don't maintain green flower spikes but have the old flower spikes turn brown and die back.  If your plant is of that type, your best hope is that the growing point is still okay.

In the future, water your plants early in the morning and use a fan to dry off any moisture you might have gotten on leaves or other plant tissue. Plants like the air movement and there is the additional advantage of drying off those parts of the plant above the potting mix.