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mariam_hussien82

What's wrong with my orchid?

9 years ago

Hello,

This is my first time to have orchid. I got this plant two month ago, in November, this is how it was looking

I am putting it in an eastern veranda and watering it twice or three times a week. Some blooms died before opening. But now this is how it looks.

I don't know what happened to the leaves, and why it stopped blooming? What can I do to help my plant?

Thank you.

Comments (12)

  • 9 years ago

    Your Phalaenopsis orchid has probably lost roots because of incorrect growing methods. If you live in the North of the USA the notes in the link may help.


    Canadian Orchid Congress Phalaenopsis notes

    Your orchid might be impossible to save and you might be better off buying a new plant.

  • 9 years ago

    Thank you. I live in Saudi Arabia.


    But what are the "incorrect growing methods." that I did? To learn for the future?

  • 9 years ago

    I don't know the temperature or the humidity there, but you're having a watering problem. It looks dehydrated, but three times a week is usually too much for an orchid ... unless the water is pouring right through and not getting to the plant at all.

    If it is potted in little pieces of bark, you need to soak it in a bowl for about 15-20 minutes once or twice a week, so the roots and bark can drink in the water. If it is in moss, you need to run some water through to soak the moss, then leave it to dry for about 7-10 days.

    Mariam Hussien thanked Danielle Rose
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    It is impossible for the readers to say what you did wrong but as Dannie says you are having a watering problem caused by?

    The ancestors of your hybrid Phalaenopsis orchid grow in warm tropical places where the Temperature range might be between 15 and 32C. Never too hot or too cold and never high up in the rainforest canopy.

    Outside, unprotected here is Phalaenopsis Death!

    So, you have to read complete Phalaenopsis notes and interpret what is written there for your Climate.

    In nature, the orchids are growing with the roots growing on a rock or a tree and the roots are often wet , but they dry a bit between rain/dew intervals.

    Mariam Hussien thanked arthurm2015
  • 9 years ago

    You live in the desert, correct? What are the current average temperatures there? I'm guessing humidity is very, very low?

    Since it is in bark, I think you need to water it every day. It may actually be too hot to keep outside, depending on how warm it has been. Does it get any direct sun on your veranda? Phals like warmth and moisture. Too hot and too little moisture will kill the plant quickly and blast it's blooms.

    Mariam Hussien thanked suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore)
  • 9 years ago

    To grow orchids in the desert you will need to make a big effort to grow them. A special room that maintains needed humidity and at the same time the correct solar exposure. It could be very expensive to do that. Now if you are buddies with the king or prince....

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks all. To clarify, I am not living in the desert. I am living in a costal city called Alkhobar, on the coast of the persian gulf. So the weather is humid. The average tempreature is around 17 c in winter,for the past few month is between 9 and 25 c, and the humidity is around 40%.

    It gets direct sun as I am putting it in an eastern veranda.

    Thanks for telling my it's type and for the notes, but how do I know if it's dead or not?

  • 9 years ago

    Very early morning sunlight is fine as is sunlight heavily filtered by something like a match stick blind.

    The leaves do not look good but if there are live roots, your orchid might revive with correct care.

    I took a punt on where you were when I sent you the cultivation notes for Canada.

    Most Phalaenopsis are killed by what I call the tropical myth. Heat, humidity, sweat on the brow sort of stuff which leads to over-watering and over misting.

    Are there any live green roots?

    What is in the potting mix?

    Are there drainage holes at the base of the pot?

    The blooms might last several months in good conditions and then the flowering stems might stay green or die. There is an annual cycle of growing new flowering stems after a slight temperature drop in late autumn.

    Mariam Hussien thanked arthurm2015
  • 9 years ago

    Thank you. I looked at the roots and there are still green roots


    The roots at the top look white

    It's in bark soil and yes there are drainage holes at the base of the pot.

  • 9 years ago

    The stems that had the flowers on them you can cut off now, if you haven't already.

  • 9 years ago

    Mariam, those roots are mostly dead. If you feel them they are hollow. Perhaps if you shake out the bark, trim the dead roots and repot in new medium it may recover. It also might not.

    Mariam Hussien thanked suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore)
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