Question
QUESTION: Hi.

A few weeks ago, I got a beautiful phalaenopsis orchid as a gift. At the time, there were only about three or four open flowers (on one of three "branches" from the single stem), and eight healthy leaves.

Since then, the flowers have opened up beautifully. There are now about twenty open flowers, on all three stems, with a few more still in the process of opening.

However, the leaves are not faring quite as well. The third and fourth leaves (from the bottom) yellowed and died in the past weeks. The second leaf is now almost completely yellow. And the first (bottom) leaf looks like it's starting to turn. (The top four still look fine.) All this at the same time that the flowers are flourishing.

What am I doing wrong? I have the plant near a window, but not with any direct sunlight, and I water it once a week with filtered water, just until the water starts to seep out of the bottom of the pot.

I'd like to make sure that the plant survives to see another blooming season. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Reuven

ANSWER: Reuven, thanks for your inquiry.  Many newly purchased orchids come in potting mix that has broken down.  This means that the potting mix stays wet too long and there is little air movement to the roots.  This has set up many growers, including you, with a situation in which roots are in poor condition and a poorly draining potting mix which retains too much water.  Normally, what you are doing would be fine-- with a minor adjustmnet or two.

Since your plant is blooming so well, I would not repot it at this time as that will disturb the roots and, hence, the flowering.  Substantially reduce the watering-- better that the mix is too dry than too wet.  The potting mix may appear dry on top, but, is likely wet in the root zone.  We have a holding pattern here where you want to avoid making matters worse.  There ia an urgent need to repot you plant as soon as it goes out of flower.  Locate a source of orchid potting mix that contains fir bark and/or tree fern for repotting your plant.  When you are  ready to repot, soak a portion of the orchid potting mix while you are unpotting your plant.  Rinse off the roots and examine them.  The mushy and/or string roots are dead and must be removed.  This enables you to determine the extent of the root damage.  Only roots that are firm and turn green when wet are healthy and the basis for future growth.  Repot to a plastic pot with lots of drainage holes.  Try to avoid damage to the good roots when repotting.  If you have long roots, you could minimize the damage by slowly rotating the pot as you insert the roots.  Place the pot in an area where the wet , fresh potting mix can drain well.  Tap the sides and/or bottom of the pot when adding the fresh potting mix to settle it about the roots.

Phalaenopsis do well on an east window sill.  They prefer some morning sunlight.  Temperature should be 60-85 degrees F.. Hopefully, the filtered water still contains some calcium and magnesium salts as these are important to build strong new leaves. Some plant foods contain these salts, but, if not, there is a product on the market called "Protek" which can be added in small amounts to the water.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick and thorough response!

Two follow-up questions -
- When you say "they prefer some morning sunlight" - do you mean direct sunlight?
- I was told that mineral or filtered water was best for watering orchids. Your response seems to indicate that filtered water might not be best. Can you please clarify?

Thanks,
Reuven

Answer
Direct morning sunlight is fine.  This is the lowest intensity of direct sunlight.  If your plant seems to be getting too much light just move it back from the window a bit.

My concern is with the term "filtered".  Some types of filtration remove most of the minerals that orchids need.  Just avoid "pure" or distilled water and avoid water with a high salt content (particularly salts of sodium).


Best regards.   Wayne