New Orchid Owner Mistakes: Repotted Up, Bud Blast, Bugs in Soil

First Orchid: White/Pink/Yellow Flowers, Many Beginner Errors

Received Sept, 3 flowers died. Repotted into LARGER pot with old+new soil. Stems black/brown, one green stub. 6 buds → 5 yellow/dropped, 1 large green. Tiny bugs in soil. Killed a cactus previously.

Errors & Fixes

• Larger pot = death trap. Orchids like snug pots. Big pot + soil = wet mix → root rot → bud blast.
• Soil ≠ orchid mix. Use bark/perlite/charcoal.
• Bugs = fungus gnats in wet, broken-down soil.
• Phalaenopsis blooms once/year (winter/spring).
• Most plants die from kindness (overwatering). Let mix go nearly dry.

Action Plan

1. Repot in SMALL plastic pot with fresh orchid bark mix.
2. Discard ALL old soil.
3. Trim dead roots.
4. Water when mix nearly dry; morning only.
5. East window, 60–85°F.

That one big bud might open. Learn from the cactus—orchids want neglect, not constant water.