Question
QUESTION: I have a beautiful coral pink phalaenopsis that was still blooming when it got sick, the leaves from he bottom started turning yellow and falling off. I have tried everything, re-potted it, and cut out the mushy roots. But it lost another leave last week. Now it's down to two green leaves, and I had to cut the spike because it turned brown. I can't find an anti-fungal at home depot and I don't know where else to look. Please help! Thank you.

ANSWER: Hello Belkys,

From your description of what is happening to your phalaenopsis orchid, it sounds as though it may have several problems.  

Problem one is the mushy roots which is usually caused by keeping it too wet.  It is always best to wait until the potting media becomes barely moist before watering.  Watering too often causes the media to remain wet and that basically drowns the roots.  

Problem two is probably related to number one above.  With few or no live roots, the plant is unable to take up water and nutrients so the phalaenopsis begins to use up the stored nutrients from the leaves, sacrificing the leaf in order to stay alive.  

Most phalaenopsis spikes will begin to turn brown from the top downward.  You did the right thing by cutting it off.  

If there are no live roots left, you can try saving it by removing it from the pot, clean off the media then placing the plant into a large plastic bag with a barely moist paper towel and closing it.  Put the bag in a warm shady location, checking it once a week to see if there are any new roots starting to grow.  Once new roots appear, buy a small bag of medium or coarse grade orchid bark plus a small pot under 4 inches in size.  Once the roots are over 2 inches long, put the phalaenopsis into the pot.  

Phalaenopsis prefer bright shade, temperatures between 60F to 85F, humidity above 50% along with some light air movement.  Feed it once or twice a month with a balance orchid fertilizer.  

Hope this has helped.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This might seem like a silly question, but should it be a dark bag or a see-through bag? and should I put the whole plant in the bag, or just the roots?

Answer
Hi again Belkys,

There are no silly questions, only silly answers - hope mine isn't too silly.  (grin)  

A see-through bag would be best, using a dark plastic bag will block out all light and the leaves will soon begin to lose their color.  

Put the entire phalaenopsis plant within the bag then either seal it (ziploc type bag) or loosely close it.  The bag will help create a semi-greenhouse environment for it, maintaining good humidity around it to prevent it from becoming too dehydrated while trying to recover and grow new roots and leaves.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.