Question
I bought a single pot with three plants and four white stems of showy blooms at the Orange County Orchid show in February.  They all lasted several months, but one wilted quickly.  It lasted like that as long as the others before it died..  Then I cut the flower stems back, and two of them have re-bloomed, but one is blooming with the same wilted look.  I don't know if it is the same one, or if these orchids have that tendency.  I have sprayed the flowers of both occasionaly.  The other one is perfect.

Answer
Hello Lee,

It is difficult to say what may be causing the flowers on one phalaenopsis to wilt while another does not.  Since they are so close to each other, they both should perform about the same.  

The key to the solution of why might be within the large pot in which the three are in.  Are they all really in one pot or is it one large pot with three smaller pots within it with possibly some moss covering them?  If there are three separate small pots, the one that is wilting could have its potting mix gone bad while the others are still somewhat okay.  

To find out if it is a mix that has gone bad, try sniffing it after watering to see if there is a sour odor present.  If there is, that is a sure sign the mix has gone bad and should be replaced.  

I am assuming that you live in southern California since you went to the O.C. orchid show.  There are quite a few orchid nurseries (regular nurseries also) that carry the supplies you will need to repot them.  

If you would like some guidance on repotting, write back and I'll give you a run down on how it is done.  It really is fairly easy, it just takes a little time.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.