Question
QUESTION: Hi, I just purchased my first phalaenopsis orchid a few weeks ago, very healthy with many blooms and two stems! I left for 10 days on vacation leaving it in the care of my mother and when I came back most of the blooms were wilted and withered. I figured that they were just dropping their blooms but then my leaves that were very firm when I left are progressively getting limp but they still are a good light green color. Most confusing to me is that one of the stems has turned bright red and dropped all blooms!
Please help! What's happening?

ANSWER: Kariane, the old bloom spikes (ie stems) naturally die back after flowering, so that is normal.  You may cut them off without damage to the plant.  The second, more serious concern, are the limp leaves.  That is likely a root problem that needs to be addressed soon.  Many phalaenopsis purchased at local retailers have not been potted properly for long term survival.  First step is to purchase a bag of orchid potting mix.  You may be able to purchase this where you bought your orchid.  I know that mass marketers such as Lowes or Home Depot also stock orchid potting mix in their garden centers.  While there, also purchase a plastic pot with lots of drainage holes in the bottom.  Soak a portion of the potting mix while unpotting your plant.  Toss the old potting mix and rinse the roots of your plant thoroughly.  Most likely, some roots are mushy.  These need to be removed as they are dead.  The limp leaves are those served by the dead or dying roots.  Those leaves may well be lost.  Once you have prepared your plant for repotting, place the plant in its new pot and gradually fill the pot around the roots with the new wet potting mix.  Do this in an area where the excess moisture can drain out.  If you have an east facing window, place the plant near it as it will like the morning sun.  It will take a couple of months to start growing new roots and leaves.  These plants bloom once per year-- usually in the spring.

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QUESTION: So the limp leaves i have now may fall off?

Answer
There is a better than even chance that they will turn yellow and fall off. This is the result of a condition at the root level which likely began before you got the orchid but has progressed due to a degraded potting mix.  Hopefully you have some leaves that still are healthy. Dynagrow produces a product called Pro-Tek which can harden leaves but the directions must be carefully followed as leaves can become brittle is it is used in too high a concentration.  After repotting, you might want to try this product.