Get it out of that pot now! With orchids it is not absolute necessary they go back in another pot immediately. Let it dry out a day.

I dont type fast so please read below and give as much info as you can.

suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore)

Yes, we need to know the following to help:

What kind of orchid?

What zone or where are you located in the world?

What is the light level?

What is the humidity level?

How are they planted (in a pot w/ what medium, on a tree, mounted, in a basket etc)?

How do you water (frequency and quantity)?

Do you fertilize and if so, how much and how often?

What is the temperature range in your location?

Do you grow indoors or outdoors or both?

reprinted with suzabanana’s permission.

It will be a better answer as to how to pot based on your answers...

Hi Shavedmonkey,

What kind of orchid?

- Not too sure, think it could be a den phal.

What zone or where are you located in the world?

- Singapore

What is the light level?

- Not too sure what this means?

What is the humidity level?

- High humidity

How are they planted (in a pot w/ what medium, on a tree, mounted, in a basket etc)?

- in a plastic pot with charcoal medium, haven't repotted since i bought it 6 months ago

How do you water (frequency and quantity)?

- every 2-3 days once, I will flush it with water and let the water drain out of the pot

Do you fertilize and if so, how much and how often?

- I put in a few pieces of organic sheep pellets once fortnightly

What is the temperature range in your location?

-27 to 33 degree Celsius

Do you grow indoors or outdoors or both?

- indoors but I put it in the kitchen for some morning sun for a few hours

Thank you for you help~ really need to know what to do before it is too late

Regarding the light level: is it in full sun all day, full sun for 3 hours in the morning, shade all day? How much light does your plant get and how strong is the light?

A wet, warm, tropical rainforest. The best answers would come from someone that lives there with and grows orchids successfully. I'll guess. Retaining water with high humidity is not a goal. Low retention of water is the goal. Mounted on wood or a tree is one way. If potted use terra cotta not plastic. Lava rock if you can get it. Potted keep the plant on top of the medium not in it. Use rhizome clips. And fill the pot to the very top. Less mildew.

There are 226 species growing wild in Singapore. Those are what I would want to grow if I lived there. Just find out the conditions in the habitat of a species and ask yourself if you can re-create it easily. If you can and like the flower then grow it.

You have an opportunity that most collectors would love to have. I'd want most of the local species....

It is kept on the dining table most of the day, during which it receives afternoon sun through stickered window(west facing) that filters out some of the sunshine. So I would think more of a shaded environment? Night time I will put it near the kitchen window (east facing) and bring it back to the dining table before I leave for work.

It looks way too wet. Let the plant dry out between waterings. Doesn't sound like its getting enough light. These plants like bright light or even direct light in the morning.

You need to get the plant out of all those pots. The plant needs to drain and dry out. You are probably losing roots. You don't have enough light and you are over-watering.

Jane

ahhh... so do I need to chop off the mushy cane right now? Or just remove the plant out of the pot to air and see how it goes?

By the way, thank you so much everyone ! Really appreciate all the advices :)

I would cut the mushy cane to hard wood. Dust the cut with cinnamon. Pull out of the pot, cut any dead roots. Repot in charcoal or medium bark. The roots need air. The plant needs bright light, move close to the window. Give it a try.

Jane

Alright...in the middle of it right now.. some of the roots are actually stucked to the charcoal bits...which tears off the roots if i pull at them... guess the roots are too mushy. ..

No, no. The roots look good. If not too late, leave them alone and repot in something which allows more air to them. You have nice viable roots. Move the plant to a bright window and only water when 'almost' dry.

Jane

eeekz...I chopped them off already...oh nooo what have I done!

But most of them either felt squishy or were hollow inside...it was my first time examining roots... I can't be too sure though :(