Question
Hello,
I purchased my orchid in April, with two flowers. I repotted with an orchid mix in a 4" clay pot and it has done well until recently, sitting close to a window, but not in direct light. A week or two ago, all five blooms fell off (some only a few weeks old) and the stalk began to yellow. It has now shriveled halfway down, and is completely yellow. The leaves still look healthy, grass color green. The only change that has occurred is warm summer weather, but not warmer than 85 degrees. Is there anything i can do to save the plant? If not, what might i have done wrong?

Answer
Hi Bridget,

From your description, it sounds as if your plant is fine.  Phalaenopsis flowers, on average, last 2-4 weeks on the spike.  It sounds like yours lasted at least that long.  The "stalk", more properly referred to as a flower spike, will begin to die back after flowering and can be removed.  Your choice of repotting time could have been better.  Normally, you should repot your orchid after flowering is finished.  Had you done that, your flowers might have lasted a bit longer.  Clay pots tend to draw moisture out of the mix more rapidly than plastic pots.  This may not be a problem as long as the air is humid but can be a problem with dehumidified air from air conditioning and, of course, during the winter when the air is drier.  I just recommend that you monitor your potting mix.  This will require that you feel of the potting mix down at the root level to see how quickly it dries out to determine your watering interval.  Otherwise, it sounds as if you are doing well.  Now that it has finished flowering, it will be sending out new leaves and roots. As long as your leaves are looking good, that suggests healthy roots and a bright future for your plant.