Question
Dear Jim,

I am in big trouble with my orchid. I don't know much about orchids. It was my mother's (who passed away 7 years ago, had a green thumb and had many orchids). This is the last orchid plant from Mom. My sisters killed the others. I have a picture of how it looked in March. It bloomed for the first time in 3 years this spring with purple flowers.

Here is the problem. I do not have any shade in my yard, so, I rotate the plant from indoors, to front porch, etc. Outside, without shade, it burns. It was doing great for a while, even 2 new shoots. But now I think I overwatered it.

Some of the leaves are yellow, the new shoots are green but leaves are black tipped, some of the leaves are half black at the bottom and some leaves fall right off when touched.

Please tell me there is a way to save it. I'm sick over it. This all started when I noticed one or two of the leaves were a little shriveled and I thought it was too dry. I have it in a hanging basket, where it does not collect water and it sits upon a bed of that brown mossy stuff you put in the bottom of a hanging plant basket. I started watering it every day. Mostly at night and keeping it indoors under a fan. I just don't know where to transfer it. I do have a tree in my front yard where I can hang it, but I am afraid of the direct sunlight for most of the day.

I could send you a picture of the damage if you like. Please advise, I don't want to lose the last of my mom's orchids.

Thank you so much in advance,
Gail

Should I leave it outside (cant find shade anywhere) or keep indoors, stop watering it? UGH, don't know what to do.

Answer
Hello Gail,

I wish I could say everything will be alright with the orchid but it does not look very promising with the description of how it looks.  Photos would help in determining if it is possible to save it.  

In the mean time, stop watering it.  Allow it to slightly dry out between waterings.  Place it where it will be in bright shade (no direct sun), temperatures between 60F to 85F along with some light air movement.  

Will wait for your response and photos.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.