Question
Hello,
I received a small (4" pot) phalaenopsis as a gift a year ago.  When I got it, it had a spike with about 7 flowers on it.  Within a week, the flowers fell off and within 4 months, the spike that held the flowers turned brown.  Currently, it has 3 leaves on it.  The 2 large leaves are green, but the smaller, lower leaf just began to turn yellow about 3 days ago.  It started to yellow at the outer edge and worked inward, towards the crotch of the plant.  The leaf is also a little translucent.

I live in San Diego, I have this plant sitting on a counter in my kitchen, near the sink where the humidity is fairly high.  It is not near a window, but the kitchen is bright. I only water it when it is dry.  There is a philadondren next to it that is doing well.  I am trying really hard to keep this plant alive, my daughter gave it to me.  Please advise what I can do to keep it from dying.

Thank you

Answer
It is natural for the spike holding the flowers to dry up after flowering-- you may remove the brown spike if you haven't already done so.  Normally, phalaenopsis are in flower for a month or more so you probably received this plant at a point in time when it had been in flower for a couple of weeks or longer.

The fact that your plant is in the process of losing one of its three leaves is a source of concern.  Usually this is because the potting mix has broken down and no longer allows air to freely move through the potting mix, ultimately leading to root rot.  The mix may feel dry on the surface, but a deteriorated potting mix can result in a soggy mix down at the root level.

Procure a bag of orchid potting mix and then unpot your plant.  Discard your old potting mix and wash the roots of the plant removing all of the old potting mix and any rotting roots. Rotten roots are mushy and healthy roots are firm. This process will give you a good assessment of root health.  You should have at least a couple of healthy roots for repotting this plant. Place the plant in a clean plastic pot with the fresh potting mix.  Be sure to place all good roots into the pot before adding the potting mix.  The top of the potting mix should be even with the base of the plant from which the leaves originate.  Water the mix thoroughly and let the plant stand at least a week before resuming watering.

While the plant may do fine under current lighting conditions, it will do better in an east window where it can receive morning sunlight.  A higher light level will help to boost new growth and, ultimately, flowering.