Question
Hi Jim,
Thanks for taking the time to respond. My 2 month old moth orchid has been blooming continuously, which is great...however, yesterday I noticed the blooms are droopy. Last week the lowest leaf started turning yellow, now it's a vibrant orange.

I water about twice a week and mist it every other day. I also moved it twice in the past two months. I also live in Hawaii and the plant is indoor near tinted windows, not direct light with an even wind flow.

I'm not sure if I'm overwatering or if the change in environment is causing it to be droopy.

Any help, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
Angela

Answer
Hi Angela,

It just might be time for the flowers to go to flower heaven.  Phal flowers can last about 2 months and even longer depending upon growing conditions and parentage (heredity).  

As long as it is the bottom leaf that turned yellow, there usually is not too much to be concerned about.  Phal leaves normally live for about 3 years.  Over the course of a year a phal may grow one or more new leafs from the top but lose a leaf or two from the bottom.  As long as leaf loss is the same or less than the number of new leafs made, all is fine but when it loses more than it makes is when it is time to become concerned and you need to find out why it is happening.  

As for watering, it is best to allow the potting media to become barely moist between waterings.  How long this is depends upon where you live and where you grow it.  Living in Hawaii (paradise!!) and having it near a window with good air flow, twice a week watering is probably about right.  My favorite is the Big Island with Maui a close second.  

It is alright to move it around but once you find a place where it looks to be really happy, I'd suggest leaving it alone.  The problem with movement is whether there is a big change in light, temperature, humidity between locations.  Also, when a new flower spike emerges and buds appear, try not to move it or turn it around because flowers open facing which ever direction the feel the strongest light is coming from.  This occurs during the time a bud is beginning to swell up and opens, once all the flowers are open you can do just about move the phal any where you want.  

Hope this has helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.