Question
QUESTION: Hi  -
I just received an orchid as a present, and am not sure if I am caring for it properly.  The stem and a couple of the leaves are "mushy", and not firm.  They are turning a dark green color.  What have I done wrong?  Can it be saved?
Thanks!

ANSWER: The first thing we have to establish is the type of orchid you have.  If the leaves come off from upright canes, then it likely is a dendrobium orchid. Normally, there are several canes.  I'm assuming that what you refer to as "stems" are dendrobium canes, but that could be wrong.  Some people refer to the flower spike on phalaenopsis orchids as a "stem" but I have neever heard of a phalaenopsis flower spike going Mushy.  If you are uncertain as to the type of orchid you have you could go to the AOS website where they have drawings of several of the most common types of orchids under "culture".  You also could google these two types of orchids to discover which type you have.  I could give you the wrong advice if I guess wrongly on the type of orchid.

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QUESTION: From looking around the internet, we think it is a Phalaenopsis Sogo Twinkle (Be Tris x Sogo Tris), and it has only one spike.  Could the leaves and stems be rotting from overwatering?  I have kept the soil (mixed bark and such) moist.  The roots don't look very good, either - the ones on the surface are withering and falling apart.  Help, please!

Answer
You have identified the source of the problem.  You need to remove any roots that are stringy or mushy as these are dead. Dead roots fail to provide the needed nutrients and plant sap to retain plant turgor (ie internal pressure). Rotting usually results from a potting mix that has deteriorated too much and, therefore, retains too much water.  If the mix has not deteriorated, then there are ingredients that retain too much water-- such as moss.  If your potting mix is good, overwatering seldom occurs.  Dry fir bark, or even fresh fir bark, retains some water repellency and dries out relatively quickly.  You will now need to grow new roots and leaves and that will take a few months to start the process-- if you have enough good firm roots to work with.  Once you have prepared and repotted the plant, water once per week.  Best growing location is an east window.