Question
i bought a phaleonopsis orchid about 3 months ago up until last night after watering it..the leaves fell off at the bottom and the flower part has withered away too ..the main part it still green in places though... i am just wondering if there is any way to save my "mr orchid" it gets watered about 2 times a week once with orchid food and the other with just warm tap water...i want to save him!

Answer
Hello Michelle,

From your description of the condition of your phalaenopsis orchid, I'm afraid it does not look promising for you to be able to save it.  Why?  You said that the bottom leaves fell off which tells me that it probably was caused by a fungal infection.  How did that happen, you ask?  It probably was caused by water splashed upon the leaves that remained overnight.  That is a prime breeding environment for fungus spores to grow and slowly cause the leaf to rot and fall off.  

If there are still some leaves on it, check at the base of the leaf where it is attached to the plant.  See if you can see a black sooty substance there, if there is that is the fungus and it won't be long before they fall off too.  

In addition, you water it twice a week which is probably too often.  Phalaenopsis orchids prefer to become almost dry between waterings, watering too often will cause the roots to rot.  

My advice would be to get another phalaenopsis and write back for some guidelines on how to care for it.  Sorry I couldn't be more encouraging.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.