Question

Wilting orchid   QUESTION: I found an orchid yesterday someone had dumped by the dumpster. It looks like a new discarded gift. It is very tall (30" stem) in a 7" clay pot with about 6 lovely white flowers but in the extreme heat the flowers are wilting and the leaves are starting to turn yellow-one came off in the car ride home. I watered it as it seemed to be totally dry. What should I do to keep this alive?

ANSWER: Joy, it would be helpful to see the leaves.  It looks like it might be a phalaenopsis orchid.  If so, you will need to repot it in fresh orchid potting mix. There is a process I can walk you throug for this, but, first I need to be more certain of several things: a picture of the lower part of the plant and a decription of the pot in which it is potted.

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Clay pot   QUESTION: Thanks for your quick response.
It is in a 7" high clay pot with moss in it. Here is a photo. I tried to feel under the moss to see what's further down but it's moss at least an inch.
As I watered it the moss is damp but not seeping out through the bottom hole.
The flower doesn't look quite as sad as when I brought it in last night--the flowers haven't dropped off yet.

Answer
Joy, I think I sent an answer to this question but sometimes I'm mistaken.  If you didn't receive my response or have additional questions, let me know.  Appreciate your attempt to rescue the plant.  I have done that on occasion with both orchids and birds.