Question
Hi,

I water my Phalanopsis orchid every week with a little orchid food.  But, one small leaf started wrinkling and weak. Two orchid buds (small ones) also get wrinkle and dried out.

Is it too dry or too much sun?  Or I move it around too often?

Answer
Hi Eileen,

While I can't be sure, I believe your phalaenopsis orchid plant is suffering from rotten roots.  The reason I say this is because you said you water it every week and a leaf has started to wrinkle and weak.  Those are classic symptoms of rotten roots.  While it is possible for these same symptoms to be present due to a lack of water, watering it weekly eliminates that possible reason.  

To verify if the above is true, remove the phal. from the pot and shake off most of the potting material from the roots.  If the roots appear dark and feel soft and mushy, that would verify that they are rotten.  Hopefully, not all of the roots are rotten and some are whitish or grey in color and feel firm.  Prior to unpotting the phal., place several sheets of newspaper on a table then empty the pot onto it.  This will make cleanup easier and less messy.  Also, it would be a good idea to have new potting material ready so you can use it to repot the phal.  Go to a garden center or nursery that sells orchids, they should have orchid potting material.  Look for or ask them for a medium grade orchid mix that allows for free drainage of water while retaining some moisture.  

You didn't mention where you live or where and how you've been growing it so I cannot tell if it got too much sun or how often you moved it.  Phals. prefer bright indirect sunlight, temperatures between 60 to 85 F, humidity above 50%, and some light air movement around it.  Water when the potting material becomes barely moist, this can be from 3 days and upwards of 2 weeks depending upon how bright the light is, how warm it is and how much air movement there is.  Find a place that provides all of the above and leave it there, only moving it when you pick it up to water.  Try to place it facing the light in the same direction if possible.  

Hope this helps.  Good luck and good growing.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.