It probably has root rot from too much water and not enough light. You should probably take it out of the pot and check the roots.

OK -- I had a look and alot of the roots were white/yellow coloured. So I cut those off and stuck it back in the pot. Anything else I should do? Will it live?
Thanks for your help.

I said look, not chop. Were they mushy or hollow? Those sound like perfectly healthy roots. Any chance you could post a picture?

The ones I cut off were brownish and hollow. I left the plump white ones. Unfortunately I can't post a picture. Anything else I should do?
Thanks so much for your help,

check out the FAQ's providing they are still there. There's a lot of information on withered/leathery leaves and the possibilities of what to do and how to water....

You can get to the FAQs by clicking on the link at the top of the forum page.

If you look in the pot of an orchid, any orchid, even one sitting on a display table at a show with an AOS award pinned to it you will be able to find some 'off' roots. Obviously if many are dead and/or dying and the plant itself is struggling to survive there are serious root issues that need addressing. But not by cutting!! Failing to remove any of the nasty roots will not materially improve or worsen a sick orchids chances. When growers repot they remove funky roots as a practice of good grooming, nothing more, nothing less. When an orchid is sick, grooming is secondary to stabilizing it and opening up dozens of sites for possible secondary infections is not advisable IMO. Roots sicken and fail for one reason only: insufficient light over some period of time. Overwatering cannot happen in the presence of sufficient light. Overwatering and insufficient light are one and the same. 'Proper' watering becomes 'overwatering' when there isn't enough orchid metabolism to transport the water through the roots and into the plant in the normal process of transpiration. I don't need to 'inspect' the roots of any orchid in my collection to know what is going on with its roots. More importantly, if I did suspect that something untoward was happening to said roots, cutting them off would not be the treatment of choice. First, good roots must be persuaded to grow (increase light, possibly temps) and at next occasion for repotting roots that are less than sound can be removed as a matter of good grooming.

H

I get it loud and clear. Thank you for your advice.

My phal of nearly 5 years has never bloomed and it looks rather poorly. It's now in a southfacing window. I have a question concerning watering. How does one water orchids? By misting? or by use of a watering can? Does one water the roots or the leaves? Also tell me what it means when the oldest leaf starts turnign yellow and wrinkling? I tried looking for the FAQ on orchids but I don't see it. Hope you can help.

Ianna

Ianna,

In general if it only the oldest leaf that is turning yellow this is perfectly normal. Orchids, like all plants, shed their oldest leaves because they are no longer useful.

Orchids absorb water through their roots. Excess water that sits on the leaves for a long time may cause the leaves to rot. This should not be a problem when the orchid is getting lots of light and good air movement.

The best way to water your orchid is to stick it in your sink and let the water run through the pot for a few minutes. This cleans out any mineral buildup that may happen from fetilizing, etc. Make sure that the water is not too cold as this may shock the orchid, but remember that what feels warm to us is hot to the orchid. Temperature should be approximately the same as a warm rain.

~Jem

Many thanks Jem

Be sure to sop up any water that might get into the crown of the plant. Carry a paper towel or tissue with you when you water.

You might try the skewer method of watering. Get a shishkabob skewer, the kind they sell in the grocery store, trim it down and keep it in the pot. The next time you go to water take the skewer out and feel it. If it's wet, don't water. If it's dry or nearly dry, water. How wet or dry the skewer is before watering will depend on the type of orchid. Phals like to almost, but not completely, dry out.

There is a FAQ on watering which described the skewer method. I use a watering can, but you don't water the leaves. I don't particularly care to use a mister unless they are outside. Mister meaning spray bottle.

On occassion I have use a misting attachment on my hose when they are outside and the weather is particularly hot, dry and windy.

Read the FAQ on how to water.

Here is a link that might be useful: Watering FAQ

Thanks orchid and michigoose. That FAQ helped a lot. If you can tolerate yet another question, can you tell me what causes the leaves of my phal to get notches as if they've been nibbled on?

Ianna

It sounds like something may be nibbling on them. If you can't account for any mechanical damage, you might want to creep up on the plant at night with a flashlight. That's when nocturnal critters come out of hiding.