Question
hello! ok.. so about two weeks ago i received a phalaenopsis orchid from a
friend, but lately the flowers have been shriveling and falling off one by one.  
I put the orchid in indirect sunlight,  water it about every week, and mist it
almost daily. i have not re-potted it or fertilized it or sprayed it with
pesticide. the leaves are dark green and healthy looking. this is my first
orchid so im very lost and i would like not to lose my beautiful orchid. Is my
plant dying?  thank you for your help

Answer
Bethany, it sounds as if your orchid is Ok. Phalaenopsis flowers last 2-4 weeks and then fall as you have described. They usually flower annually and, usually, in the spring. The flower spike which holds the flowers will now either turn brown and die back or stay green.  This is a function of the genes your plant has inherited.  If the old flower spike turns brown and dries up you may just cut it off.  If it stays green, cut it off above a node (ie joint) and it may rebloom from that node.

I recoomend that a plant be repotted in fresh orchid potting mix following flowering to prepare it for a new growth cycle which will help ensure that it blooms next spring.  To do this, obtain a bag of orchid potting mix and soak a portion of it for use and store the rest dry.  While the fresh potting mix is soaking, unpot your plant, rinse the old potting mix from the roots and remove any roots that are collapsed or mushy.  I prefer to grow phalaenopsis in a plastic pot with lots of drainage holes.  If the roots on your plant are firm and healthy, you may need to repot to a slightly larger pot in the fresh orchid potting mix.

It does sound as if you have a healthy plant.  I would increase the light level so the leaves become a more olive green-- that helps to improve flowering.  If you have an east window sill, they like the morning sun. Continue your watering and misting schedule but you may want to add a bit of plant food to your water (1/4tsp per gallon). I understand your concern but not to worry. Look at my advice as a way to improve the future health of your plant.