Question
I have a nice variety on Orchids in my home, here in Chicago but I do best with Oncidiums. My Dendrobium Nobiles (canes) have there good days and recently very bad days. My kaikis have done well.I try to learn from the many books I read and each have something that is different. I do understand that there are casualties and you learn as you go.
The problemss I am having is the phalaenopsis taking a turn for the worse. I am not sure what to do with the leaves starting to wrinkle and wilt. The roots are also starting to die back.Nothing in my routine has change accept to the minor adjustments on watering to accomodate the winter months.
It is so frustrating to watch mature orchids die back.I am not sure what else to do or try.

Answer
Hello Patrick,

While I cannot be certain, I believe the problem with your phalaenopsis may be within the pot.  You did not mention how long you have had it or whether you had repotted it.  

What I think has happened is the potting media has broken down and has caused some or all the roots within the pot to rot.  You can verify this by unpotting it and inspecting the roots, if most are soft and mushy, they are rotten.  

Depending upon what condition it is in, it may be possible to revive it but keep in mind that no matter what you do to save it, it may still die.  

Begin by purchasing some orchid potting media, for phalaenopsis you will want one that will remain fairly open and retain some moisture.  Also buy a pot that is about half the size of the current pot, since there are few or no roots you do not need a large pot.  Too large a pot will tend to allow the media to remain wet too long, the root of the problem you have now.  

Once you have the materials, unpot the phal and remove as much of the old media from the roots.  Remove any rotten roots.  Place some media in the new pot then lower the phal into it, keeping it in the middle.  Fill the pot with media and slightly compress it to help hold the phal in place.  Water it then put it in a warm shady place for about 3 weeks, only light watering it during this time to keep it barely moist to help encourage new roots to grow.  Once the time is up, put it back in your growing area.  

Try to not water on a schedule, water it when the potting media becomes barely moist.  

Hope this helped.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.