Question
Hi Jim,
I received a phalaenopsis orchid about a month ago as a gift (it came from a specialty flower shop) and it only had about 6 blooms on it at the time. Over the next few weeks it blossomed wonderfully into a total of 15 blooms. About a week ago I noticed that the older blooms were wilting, now even the newer ones are beginning to as well. I am wondering if this is normal or is my plant dying?
I have placed it in a room where there is a window facing south-west, there is a lot of bright sunlight here, but the orchid is in a corner where no direct light hits it. I live in Southern Ontario, Canada and the temperature inside my house has been about 77F over the past month. I have watered it twice since getting it (in the mornings), and have not fertilized it. I have misted the leaves once (also during morning hours).
The following is a link of some photos I took of it today, I hope this helps.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jellofer22/

Thanks for the help!
-Jennifer

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for all the photos, they really helped!  

Also what helped was the clear plastic pot it is in, allowing me to see the roots inside.  It is a little unusual for phalaenopsis flowers to wilt so soon, especially the later opening ones.  Where you have it growing, is there some occasional light air movement?  Whether from a fan, open window, or people walking by?  

The leaves appear to be drooping slightly, rather than being somewhat flat and horizontal.  There also appears to be some rotten roots in the pot along with some live roots.  How many are rotten you cannot know without unpotting and inspecting them.  If you have only watered it twice in the month you have had it, that may not be enough.  Although the potting media should be allowed to become barely moist between waterings, you do not want it to go totally dry.  

One other thing, are there any fruits near by?  If so, either move the phal or move the fruits as ripening fruits emit ethylene gas which is deadly to blooms and buds.  Also, is there a heater/a.c. vent near it?  Sudden hot or cold breezes from it can also cause blooms to wilt prematurely.  

Living in Southern Ontario, you probably could place it closer to the light source as it is not as intense the further north you go from the equator.  

Hope this helped.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca,