Question
Hello. We have an orchid that has been in the family for 7 years now. When we first got it it was full with leaves and flowers all year around. It became leaf-less about 3 years ago but has always flowered.

During a recent house move I managed to snap the plant and I was left with a tub of mud and a small green stick. My mother told me to throw him away but I thought that I could bring him back to life again with a little care and attention... this I gave for 6months and finally I have 2 leaves. Over the last 2months these have grown bigger. But today when I got in from work I noticed that one of the leaves had died and the other 2 have turned wrinkly and pale.

The orchid is in a glass vase with bark. I've not under/over watered him and now I'm scared he's dying after all these months of trying to bring him back to life.

Please advise. Rebecca

Answer
Rebecca, it sounds as if your plant has a root problem.  It should be freshly repotted in a plastic pot with lots of drainage holes.  In unpotting your plant, preparatory for repotting, you will undoubtedly notice one or more roots that are collapsed and should be removed.  Healthy roots are firm and turn green when wet. You need to have planty of air movement through the potting mix. Having it in a glass vase, if it has no drainage holes, could have been the cause of the root rot.