Question
I have three orchids and all of them have been doing extremely well with new leaves and plenty of blooms, but when I cam home from Thanksgiving break I found the two phalaenopsis in bad shape. The leaves are soft and limp and they are slightly mushy to the touch. The roots feel firm and they were both watered about five days ago (I've been watering them once a week for months and they've been fine). I live in a small dorm room, but they get plenty of light in the window sill that they sit on. It has been cold lately and the window that they are at was left cracked. But there is a heater just under the window. Is it the cold window that is doing this to them? What can I do to help them. I'm afraid to move them from the window, because there isn't hardly any light away from it. I love these guys and I really want to save them. What should I do?

Answer
Sydney, I'm sorry to say that it is likely that your feeling that the phalaenopsis got too cold is correct. Phalaenopsis don't like the cold and it is possible that the cracked window created a very cold miniclimate near the plant. The leaves have the appearance of actually experiencing freezing temps.  If you have space for a plant light (there are some plant lights that produce a spotlight of 50-75 watts) away fro the window that would be best.  Phalaenopsis don't like temps below 55 degrees.  As to whether your plants can survive this shock-- only time will tell.  It is likely that you will lose the leaves that are slightly mushy and limp so it is uncertain whether there is viable meristematic tissue remaining to generate new leaves.  You might consider repotting them in fresh orchid potting mix.  By unpotting these plants, you can determine whether you have any dead or dying roots before repotting.  Often the roots look healthy on the surface but there may be root decay further down in the old potting mix.