Question
I recently received a phaleanopsis (my first orchid) as a gift and it was full of beautiful blooms. I've had it for about a month. Over the past two weeks, the blooms have been withering and one leaf fell off. There are two others on the bottom that are turning black. The orchid is in what appears to be a sphagnum moss-filled plastic pot. I water it about once a week and mist it every other day. It's at a southern exposure window.

Answer
Hello Joann,

With the symptoms you described, I'm afraid there is not much that can be done to save it.  Leaves turning black indicates that they have died.  

One of the culprits that might have lead to this is the sphagnum moss it is potted in.  Moss tends to hold water for quite a while, even though the exposed top part may look dry, within the pot it probably is still fairly wet even after a week has passed.  

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.  If you get another phalaenopsis, write back and I'll give you some instructions on how to care for it.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.