Question
Hi Jim.  I have a number of different types of orchids, they all live in my bedroom which is large with two tall windows facing east and south.  My problems seem to be getting worse.  I have 11 orchids in total and 7 of them seem to be ill.  Where there has been darkening on the outsides of the leaves I have trimmed this off.  I am repotted two of my orchids, the one seems to be ok sort of but the other has no leaves left and looks rather ill.  The main two problems I have are leaves falling off and roots rotting.  What can I do as I love these plants and don't want to give up on them.  If you need pictures I can provide these.  Please help me safe my plants.

Thank you

Answer
Hello Kirsty,

Photos would be helpful along with the names of the orchids and where you live.  Photos really help in that it makes things much clearer about the problem they are having and orchid names help to determine where and how to properly grow them.  Knowing where you live gives me a general idea as to the local climate.  

In the mean time, my suggestion would be to reduce watering.  The reason for this is that you said the roots are rotting and the usual cause for rotting roots is watering too often.  Most orchids prefer having the potting media go through a wet to barely moist cycle then wet again, kept constantly wet and the roots will rot.  

This site does not allow including photos directly into a post, so if you can send a link to your photos, that would be very helpful.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.