Question
I bought(or should I say rescued) an phalaenopsis orchid from lowe's the other day . Ii was out on the clearance shelf in the sun,the leaves are very limp, slightly wrinled and turning brown. the actual petals on the orchid have brown spots on them. Is there any help for this orchid and if so ,where should I start?

Answer
My first suggestion is to but a bag of orchid potting mix at Lowes or another garden center.  Then unpot your plant and wash all of the old potting mix from the roots. You will probably find a number of rotted roots (very mushy).  These should be removed as they no longer serve a useful function. Repot your plant in a plastic pot and, if possible, place it in the house in an east facing window so it gets some morning sunlight.  The leaves that are limp probably are so becasue the roots have rotted.  These will eventually turn yellow and fall off. After repotting, rest your plant for a few days and then begin watering heavily letting the water run through the potting mix until it is thoroughly wet.  Give the pot a few minutes to let excess water drain out of the pot before placing it in the window. If there are one or more good firm roots, the plant should begin new root growth in a month or two followed by the growth of new leaves.  It is the new roots and leaves that are needed to save this plant. If it's any encouragement, one of best phalaenopsis I have is one that I found in the dumpster at Home Depot and bought for half price.