Question
I have a brown almost slightly black thumb and was given a beautiful orchid as a welcome to a new position at my company; this made me nervous as I know what generally happens to plants in my care.  Everyone has these Orchids and they seem fine, mine is pretty much dead.  The stem is still slightly green at the base, I feel terrible!  The last flower fell last week, I've only had it for 3 1/2 weeks... it sits in my cubicle and I only water it about once a week approximately 1/2 cup of water.  Is there any way to save this beauty?  Help!

Answer
Hello Stephanie,

Glad to hear your thumb is not totally black!  (grin)  

From the description of what your phalaenopsis orchid plant looks like, I'm afraid there is not much you can do to save it.  Sorry!  

If you buy another phalaenopsis or are given one, you might try asking those around your work area how to care for it since they seem to be doing okay with them.  Do any of these other phals. produce blooms?  Or are they more like green desk plants?  Why do I ask?  While most phals. can continue to grow in an office environment, they probably would not produce blooms each year.  Phals need the full spectrum of light than they receive from the usual office flourescent cool white tubes.  If by chance your cubicle office is next to a window, you might have better luck in getting it to bloom.  Phals need bright but indirect sunlight to grow and bloom well, but under artificial light they may grow but will rarely bloom.  

Phals. should be watered when the potting media becomes barely moist.  Frequent watering while the media is still pretty moist will cause the roots to rot.  Also, water in the morning hours and try to not get any water on the leaves, especially at the base where the leaf is attached to the plant.  If water does get on the leaves, simply wipe it off with a paper towel.  If water gets into the notch by the base of the leaf, take a corner of the paper towel to draw it off.  Why do this?  Water left on the leafs overnight is prime breeding environment for fungus which can eventually kill the phal.  If you see the presence of a black sooty substance on the leafs, that probably is the fungus growing.  

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.  But if you do get another phal., good luck and good growing.  In fact, if you do get another one, write back and I'll give you some pointers on how to care for it.  It also would be helpful to know where you live and where you will be growing it and what, if any, sun exposure is available.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.