Question

Orchid Pot   QUESTION: Hello Jim,

I have just purchased my very first orchid and I have had it for about two
months. Now all but one leaf has fallen off. What could be the problem? I
have it in its original container and it is in a pebble dish which I keep filled
with water. I water it once or twice a week as needed. I have sent pictures if
that will help.
Thanks, Malynda

ANSWER: Hello Malynda,

Thanks for the photo, it really helped.  

It does not look as though there is anything wrong with the one remaining leaf.  The phalaenopsis plant is potted in a plastic pot and it is placed in a glazed ceramic pot.  Is there a hole in the bottom of the ceramic pot?  If there is not a hole in the bottom, I'm afraid your orchid is dying a slow death due to all of the roots having rotted.  While ceramic pots look nice, unless there is a hole in the bottom to allow excess water to drain out, the orchid roots will die due to drowning.  Also for most orchids, it is best to allow the potting media to become barely moist before watering again.  

Hope this helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.



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

QUESTION: Jim,

Thank you so much. Is there anyway I can save the orchid?

Malynda

Answer
Hi Malynda,

There is a slim chance you might be able to save it but it will take some work and a lot of patience.  

To begin, remove the pot from the ceramic pot.  Purchase a small bag of medium grade orchid bark.  Unpot the phalaenopsis from the pot and remove as much of the old potting media that you can.  Remove any roots that are soft and mushy as they are dead.  Treat top area of the phal with a little hydrogen peroxide to kill off any fungus that might be present.  Place some bark in the pot then lower the phal until the leaf is even with the pot rim then fill around it with more bark.  Water it then place the pot where it will be warm (above 60F) and in shade.  It might help to put the pot into a large plastic bag and close the top to create a sort of greenhouse.  Leave it alone for a week then check to see how it is doing, hopefully the remaining leaf will still be okay.  Close the bag.  Check on it weekly, adding just a little water if the bark becomes dry.  If all goes well, you may see new roots emerge along with a new leaf from just above the lone leaf.  Once you see this happening, you can take it out of the bag and put it where you had been growing it.  

Hope this helps you save it.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.