Question
I am spending too much money replacing my ground orchids. I live in Miami FLa and these were first planted by my landscapd architect several years ago around my palm trees.  They did well for the first 2 years, then i noticed that the leaves would turn brown and i would have to replace them.  They are watered twice weekly (via irrigation system - 15 minutes each time).  They receive partial to full sun daily. A local nursery says I should plant in sandy soil after first cutting the palm tree's roots back to 6 inches in length to allow more room for growth (I have planted 4 orchids around each palm tree in an area 36 " X 42" area. PLEASE HElP!  Thanks Gwen

Answer
Hello Gwen,

I'm not very knowledgeable about spathoglottis but here is what I know about them.  

From your description of where and how you are growing them, it sounds like the problem may be that they are drowning.  While spathoglottis love moisture, they also need good drainage where they grow.  While watering twice a week should be fine, unless the ground around it becomes barely moist between waterings, the roots slowly die due to drowning in too much water.  

If possible, it may help to plant them in a raised planter filled with media that will allow good drainage.  This can be accomplished by adding 25% to 30% of sand to the media.  You may have to replace the media every 3 to 5 years, depending upon how quickly it breaks down.  Hopefully this will keep them alive for many years to come.  

Hope this has helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.