Question
I received an orchid mothers day, no name. It had a long branch with purple blooms and fleshy large leaves, three that seemed to have a division in half. I looked up orchid care and tried to keep the soil just damp, but seemed to stay mysteriously soaked while I waited and waited for it to dry out. I just gave it a drink after it dried this time. Pulled slightly on a leaf to look under and the whole cap popped off.  Any chance for revival and new leaves?  Anything I can do?  Thanks

Answer
Amanda, your plant has root rot.  You will need to purchase a bag of orchid potting mix.  This can be found at any garden center that sells orchids including Lowes and Home Depot. You also will need a plastic pot with lots of holes in the bottom.  Soak a portion of the potting mix overnight and then unpot your plant, rinse off the roots and remove any roots that are mushy or stringy.  Healthy roots are firm and turn green when wet.  Hopefully, the remaining leaves are OK or they too might fall off as you move the plant preparatory to repotting.  If you have some healthy roots and at least a healthy leaf or two, you may proceed to repot in the fresh, wet orchid potting mix.  First, insert the roots into  the new pot and then add the fresh potting mix (this should be done where the excess water can drain off).  Tap the sides of the pott as you add the potting mix and this will help to distribute it among the roots.  Place the plant into an east window or your growing area and do not water it for at least a week.  Then, you may resune watering once per week.

Root rot is the result of keeping the roots too wet and having too little air circulation at the roots.  An orchid potting mix must provide a balance of moisture and be open enough to promote the movemment of air through the potting mix.  In nature, these plants often have their roots exposed to humid air and it is a challenge to try to create these conditions in a pot.  Many commercial orchid sellers do not provide the right conditions for long term health of these plants so many go downhill not long after purchase.  It is importamt to have the right potting mix and to repot your orchid plant after each flowering to ensure continued health and the potential for reblooming.