Question
QUESTION: Hello Wayne.  I received a beautiful phalaenopsis as a gift.  The blooms eventually died and fell off so I cut the stems down.  I think I overwatered it and gave it too much light.  Now it is wilted and has one yellow leaf.  I removed it from the light it now sits inside and started checking the soil to make sure I don't water it too much (I let it almost dry out between waterings).  I was given granulated food for it and I feed it about once a month.    Is there anything else I can do to make sure my orchid does not die?  Also, it sits in a white plastic pot with lots of drainage and sometimes I put that in a terra cota pot for decorative purposes.  I appreciate any help!  thank you!!!

ANSWER: Vanessa, I think you need to repot your plant in an orchid potting mix. Usually wilting is the result of root decay.  As part of the repotting process, when you unpot your plant, rinse off the roots and you will likely find one or more that are mushy.  These are dead and any leaves served by dead roots will also die.  Before repotting, soak the new orchid potting mix for an hour or so as it contains fir bark which repels water when it is dry.  By using a slow release fertilizer (ie granulated) it is getting fed with every watering.  After you repot, I recommend that you use a weak plant food (1/4 tsp per gallon of water) once every other week and plain watering in between. Do not let the pot sit in water.  The wilted part of the plant will probably be lost so now you want to focus on growing healthy new roots that will support new leaves.

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QUESTION: thank you!  on my way to home depot after work.  one more question.  there are many roots sticking out of the pot.  i thought this was normal.  do i need to cut any of them off?

Answer
Vanessa, aerial roots (those sticking out of the pot) are normal.  Ideally these should be put back into the potting mix when you repot as the plant will eventually produce more.  Be sure to soak those roots thoroughly (until they turn green) before putting them into the new potting mix.  The soaking should make them less brittle and therefore less likely to break during repotting.  One technique to avoid root breakage during repotting is to rotate the pot while holding the plant to be repotted and the roots should follow the inner side of the pot.  Wish you well.