Question
I just received a phalaenopsis orchid as a gift two weeks ago and since bringing it home, the flowers which were blooming beautifully, have started to get brownish spots around the edges of the petals and the petals have started to flop backwards. The leaves and stem still look healthy and green. Is this just a sign of it nearing the end of its flowering phase or am I not caring for it properly? Also, I am trying to figure out how much light it needs. I live in a condo and have north, west and south windows most of which only get direct sunlight in the afternoon and evening.

Thanks for your help!
Katie

Answer
Hello Katie,

Brown spots on the flowers is usually caused by botrytis fungus which appear when the flowers have been misted late in the day and water droplets remain over night.  It also might just be time for the flowers to die off.  Phalaenopsis flowers will usually remain for several months on the stem then slowly wilt and die.  If your phal was already in full bloom when you received it, you probably do not know how long they had been open prior to your getting it.  But, if some or all of them opened after you got it, it may be what I suggested earlier.  

Phals prefer bright indirect sunlight with maybe an hour or two of early morning direct sun, otherwise bright shade is best.  Temperatures between 60F to 85F, humidity above 50%, light air movement, water when the potting media becomes barely moist.  Feed it a balance type orchid fertilizer but at 1/4 the amount suggested on the container as phals do not require lots of it.  

Hope this answered your questions but if you have other questions or would like more information, write back and I'll try to help with them.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.