Question
QUESTION: I bought a phalaenopsis orchid a little over a week ago, which has 5 white flowers and about the same number of buds above them. This plant also has a new flowerless 3-4 inch spike. I have so far watered and fertilized it once using MSU orchid fertilizer for tap water solution. I did this by mixing the solution as specified and running it through the medium for about 10 seconds. I then moved it closer to a window which has the blinds pulled down.

The next day, I noticed that petals on the 2 flowers at the bottom were turning inwards, and thinking it was due to the increased exposure to light, I moved it away from the window. The day after that, those 2 flowers appear to be wilting.

Could you please tell me how I can save the rest of the flowers and the buds? If I inadvertently fertilized it too much, how do I undo it? I'm afraid running water through the medium to wash off any fertilizer remnants might cause over watering.



ANSWER: Lindsey, the flowers at the bottom were the oldest and, therefore, would naturally finish their blooms first.  Individual flowers usually last 2-4 weeks.  You have no way of knowing how long those flowers were open before you bought the plant so you can expect them to close up from the bottom up as they age.  The good news is that you have additional buds to open and these should give you additional flowers as you lose the older ones.  Better yet, is that when the last of the flowers on the first spike finish, you could have buds beginning to open on the second spike.  Based upon the information you provided, I see no reason for concern.  Thank you for the details. Relax and enjoy. Let me know if you have any further concerns.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for your response Jim.

My concern was due to my having killed flowers/buds/plants before and not had a clue what I did wrong. The buds on this plant are not opening yet, and I just wanted to make sure they won't die off eventually. Should I remove the wilted flowers off the spike without letting them dry up and fall off, or should I just let nature take its course?

ANSWER: Lindsey, you may remove the wilted flowers with damaging the plant or buds yet to open.  Be careful not to damage the flower spike when you remove them from the flower spike.     Wayne

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Again, thank you for the response. I didn't remove the wilted flowers but let them fall off naturally so as not to harm the spike. One last question: the topmost buds have also fallen off now. I have watered once a week so far. Does this mean I have to water it more frequently?

Answer
Lindsey, the answer to your question is that it all depends.  Most orchid potting mixes contain ingredients that break down over time and the potting mix becomes more soil-like and retains much more moisture and reduces needed air movement through the mix.  IF the potting mix is fairly fresh (ie plant has been repotted in past year) you can water and feed weekly (use 1/4 tsp of plant food per gallon of water). If it is an older mix, you will need to water less frequently.  You can check by using a bamboo stick pushed all the way to the bottom of the potting mix and feel of it.  If it feels moist, it is not yet time to water.  If it is an older mix, I recommend repotting into fresh orchid potting mix that has been soaked for an hour before use.