What's wrong with my orchid?

[KimmyMarkks]

I also need help keeping my Orchid alive. I know these typically have shorter life spans. I was able to keep it alive by watering it about once a week. However, after six months the flowers dried up and fell off. Is it worth keeping? Will the flowers grow back? I am moving in a few weeks and have started to throw things out and I am wondering if it is worth it to try to bring the flowers back or just buy at new one?

Any tips for keeping orchids alive? Everyone I talked to have the same problem with them!

 

[Becky]

The flowers don't last for ever unfortunately! Has the stalk died too or just the flowers? Give it some time, if you keep looking after it you should hopefully get new growth and new flowers

 

[IcyBC]

My son gave an orchid two years ago, and I still have it on my kitchen window sill. It gives me flowers once a year so far, and yes the flowers will die, but the plant itself won't! It is worth keeping if you love orchid. Just take care of it the way you do, and soon enough you will see new sprouts of flowers.

 

[Fernsdaddy]

Some Orchids will hold their flowers for 8 months or more and some for only a day, Just cut the old stock off and just keep doing what you have been and it should bloom again.

 

[KimmyMarkks]

Okay that's good to know. It's funny because the flowers on my coworkers orchid only lasted a week. After having mine for about 9 months I thought the flowers would last forever . How can I tell if the whole plant died or just the flowers?

 

[Fernsdaddy]

Okay that's good to know. It's funny because the flowers on my coworkers orchid only lasted a week. After having mine for about 9 months I thought the flowers would last forever . How can I tell if the whole plant died or just the flowers?

Can you post a pic of the orchid ? its hard to say with out seeing it or at least a pic of it.

 

[KimmyMarkks]

Can you post a pic of the orchid ? its hard to say with out seeing it or at least a pic of it.

I've uploaded a picture. Is there a way to tell if the plant is still alive?

 

[Becky]

Hmm the leaves aren't looking fantastic but it definitely isn't dead (yet). I had a couple of orchids which were looking similar, and both have recently had new growth - so you just never know! If I were you I'd carry on looking after it - make sure it is fed and watered, and ensure it is in a bright spot that is not in direct sunlight. I find that in a sunny window which has a translucent blind pulled down is perfect.

 

[Fernsdaddy]

Cut the old flower spike off, Look like the area you have it in is dry, mist your plant at least once a day making sure you get the air roots they will turn green when you give them a good misting. other than that your orchid looks OK. Phalaenopsis don't need direct sun just bright light, do like Becky said and it should start to look good again.

 

[KimmyMarkks]

Hmm the leaves aren't looking fantastic but it definitely isn't dead (yet). I had a couple of orchids which were looking similar, and both have recently had new growth - so you just never know! If I were you I'd carry on looking after it - make sure it is fed and watered, and ensure it is in a bright spot that is not in direct sunlight. I find that in a sunny window which has a translucent blind pulled down is perfect.

Good to know! Yeah it one day all the sudden took a turn for the worst. Did your just magically come back one day? I'm hoping in the spring it will come around. Once there is more sunlight them there is now.

 

[Becky]

Good to know! Yeah it one day all the sudden took a turn for the worst. Did your just magically come back one day? I'm hoping in the spring it will come around. Once there is more sunlight them there is now.

Well I was feeding and watering them regularly and the leaves were looking fine but there wasn't much of a change over time. Then one day I noticed that they had both sent out a new spike, and as things currently stand there are buds forming!

 

[KimmyMarkks]

I am sad to say my orchid plant's stems turned brown as did the leaves. I don't know at this point if it will come back. It looks like the whole plant just dried up and died.

 

[Becky]

Oh no, sorry to hear that!

 

[Troy]

Hi Kimmy

Your orchid is a Phalaenopsis (commonly called a 'Phal'), most likely a hybrid of Phalaenopsis amabilis.
As Becky has already pointed out the leaves look a bit sad; they are very water stressed so your plant needs watering more frequently. Don't make the mistake of suddenly drenching it and then keeping it too wet as they rot easily, particularly when they are stressed and not up to fighting off any mold or bacteria that will like all the extra water too. I would try soaking it in water for a little while, let it drain properly and keep it somewhere as humid as possible. Phals are from south east Asia and naturally like the tropics although amabilis likes it a bit cooler and cooler night time temps actually trigger their flowering mechanism. Unfortunately it may not recover and, if it does, it will be slow so be patient.

Keep an eye on the center, where the new leaves originate, so long as that doesn't go brown/ black there is still hope

Cheers, Troy