Question
Someone sent me a potted orchid by mail two weeks ago. It was beautiful when it came but ever since then it has been falling apart. Four buds have fallen off, one of the blooms is falling off, and the two remaining blooms are drooping. One of the buds managed to bloom but is not wilting. One leaf is yellow and another looks like it is thinning with a deep green  indentation in the leaf. I live in a dorm room and so i only have one window. i have not put it near the window because there is a terrible draft so it is in the center of my room. i have the plant up on rocks and plan to cut it when that last bloom falls (its a phalaenopsis orchid by the way). Is it worth it or should i do something else. The room is very dry and i do not know how i can create more humidity. Why is the orchid falling apart? What can i do to make it healthier? Any suggestions would be a great help.

Answer
Thank you Jenna for honoring me with your questions.  It sounds like your orchid got too cold during shipment.  That could account for the loss of buds.  Phalaenopsis need temperatures between 60 - 85 degrees to do well.  It also sounds as if your plant has some root rot.  While the rot can not be reversed, you can start the plant on a new, healthier course by repotting it.  To so so, you will need to locate a source for orchid potting mix.  You may find it at a garden center or order it via mail or on-line.  When you have the new orchid potting mix, you will need to unpot the plant and discard the old potting mix, carefully clean the roots and remove any roots that are stringy or mushy as those are dead.  Only the firm roots will be able to generate new leaves in the fresh potting mix.

I know dorm rooms don't provide much growing space and you were right to move it away from the window until at least April.  To compensate, see if you can find a clip on light fixture into which ou can insert a grow light bulb of at least 75 watts.  The light bulb should provide both increased warmth and light for your repotted plant. For humidity, you are on the right track to provide a pebble tray.  Keep water in it below the top of the pebbles so the plant doesn't sit in the water but does receive increased humidity.  With fresh potting mix you should be able to water your plant with room temperature water once per week without damaging the roots.