Phalaenopsis Flower Spike & Leaves Shriveling: Root Rot from Old Mix

Always good luck with orchids; this one had new spike growth but now leaves and spike buds shriveling. In orchid bark, water weekly. Stumped.

Likely Cause: Degraded Potting Mix

Assuming orchid potting mix (not straight fir bark). Straight bark → too dry, hard to wet. Phals need annual repot after flowering to keep mix fresh. Old mix decays → stays wet, fine particles block air → root rot → nutrient flow drops → shriveling leaves/buds.

Rescue Repot

1. Get fir-bark-based orchid mix; soak portion before use.
2. Unpot; rinse old mix off roots (ok to leave some).
3. Remove mushy roots (dead).
4. Repot in drained pot; don't let sit in water.

Shriveled leaves/buds may not recover, but new roots/leaves will. If mix is actually good, other causes exist—but degraded mix is the usual culprit.