Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I got a orchid plant 2 weeks ago, but 3 of the blossoming flowers already wilted. I don't know the problem. I put them in my office without window but with aircon. The 1st two flowers died after the weekend when I put it near the window in the office and watered it a bit before the weekend. There are still 2 buds, but seems stop growing. All the flowers seems dying one by one. Can you please tell me what to do? I'm desperate.

ANSWER: Hi Jenny,

Without knowing what type of orchid you have, it is difficult to say whether what has been happening is normal or not.  With that said, I believe it may be a phalaenopsis orchid as it is the one most people receive as gifts or as their first orchid.  

If it is a phalaenopsis orchid, phal flowers will usually remain for several months or longer under moderately good conditions.  In an air conditioned office with probably only light from flourescent lights is not the best growing condition.  If you could keep it about 1 to 2 feet from the lights, it would be much happier.  Also, does the temperature vary much from day to night and also over week ends?  Temperatures between 60F to 85F are good but too much lower or higher could cause problems.  Some light air movement would be nice along with humidity above 50%.  Water it when the potting mix becomes barely moist.  

Lastly, one thing that can cause early flower death are fruits.  Are there any fruits in your office?  Fruits as they ripen tend to emit ethylene gas which is deadly to blooms.  

Hope this helped answer your questions.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jim,
Thank you so much for your answer. Yes my orchid is a phalaenopsis with purple in the middle.
I'm just wondering if the following remedial actions are correct. At least to keep the remaining 2 flowers blooming and the buds growing.
1. I have taken it home without any airconditioning.
2. Stop watering (a florist recommend me not to water for a couple of weeks).
3. I have put it near a window with blinds during the day.
4. I put it in the bathroom during the night to get some moist.
5. I'm planning to put some fertilizer.

THANK YOU!
Jenny

Answer
Hi Jenny,

What you have done should help it along.  Some other things I would recommend:

1. Get a one inch deep plastic tray, fill it with small pebbles and keep it filled it with water, then place the pot on top to create a little humidity around it, just make sure the bottom of the pot is not sitting in the water.  Doing this, you won't have to move it back and forth to the bathroom, just leave it on the tray.  
2. Depending upon sun exposure, distance from the window can vary and the blinds can be fully open to partially closed.  A north or east facing window and they can be fully open and within a couple feet of the window while a south or west window it should be partially open and placed more than 2 feet from the window.  
3. No water for a couple of weeks is fine, just check once in a while to see how dry it is becoming.  Some people push a wooden pencil into the pot, pull it out and if it is wet they wait until it comes out dry to water.  
4. Go easy with the fertilizer as phalaenopsis do not require lots of it.  Use about a quarter of the amount suggested on the container.  

Hopefully the remaining flowers will stay in bloom for some time and a few more buds will appear.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.