Question
hi Jim, i live in Australia( Newcastle nsw) and was given orchid for 1st mothers day (May), it had beautiful purple & yellow flowers. then they finished, storks went black, as have many leaves.(black spots).. not sure what to do as this is first orchid ever owned!!!

Answer
Hello Jules,

Do you have the name of the orchid you received for Mothers Day?  Without knowing what kind of orchid you have, it is very difficult to tell you what to do.  

If just the flowers and the stem, stalk or spike they were on are the only parts that died, things are probably not really bad.  But, if the leaves have also died, that is definitely not good.  If it is only black spots on the leaves, it may be due to a fungus infection caused by water droplets left on the leafs overnight.  

If you have the name or photo of the orchid, write back and I will try to help further with what to do.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.