Joyce Mathieson

I recently purchased an orchid from a Fred Meyer store. It is in a small clear plastic cup inside a green ceramic pot.

The instructions say to water only every 20-25 days, allowing plant to almost dry out between. There is no indication of how much water, since the plastic pot doesn't allow drainage. I think I may have given it perhaps a couple of tbsp of water, and the medium is still damp.

Since then, everything has died; blooms, leaves and stems. Is that normal?? I've tried two other orchids that died and never revived.

I took the plastic cup out of the pot, and there is a soft, green arm growing over the edge; that must be the velamen you mention, right? I noticed a tiny, fresh green leaf down by the crown; does that mean it will be sending new growth up? I guess my real question would be: do the plants keep leaves after the blooms are done, or does everything die off and start over again?

Since it is now almost July, when should I start the low temp situation for re-blooming? Is that an all day temp, or just at night? I could put it out in my garage at night and keep it in the house during the day, right?

I've probably asked too many questions for this venue, but I hate to spend so much money on something that just dies and is gone.

Thanks for any input you can give me!
Joyce Mathieson

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Jun 27, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Should My Orchid Lose Its Leaves?
by: Melissa

It would be helpful to know what kind of orchid it is. If the tag says then write back and let me know. How an orchid is cared for depends a very great deal on what kind of orchid it is and what it needs to thrive.

The watering instructions of only watering every 20-25 days does not seem like enough for most orchids. Yes some orchids do like to almost dry out between waterings. That there is no indication of amount just makes me more frustrated with the folks that write those instructions!

I will say the fact that it does not drain is almost the kiss of death for many orchids. Most orchids MUST drain. They may like water, they may like to dry out but they RARELY like to be wet all the time. Most deaths of Phalaenopsis orchids is from root rot and having them in a container (or in two containers) that do not drain is the reason.

I am sorry that everything has died. NO, it is NOT NORMAL. There are a few orchids that lose all their leaves but Phalaneopsis are not of that type. Your plant is dying and that is why.

The a soft, green arm growing over the edge is a root. The velamen is the soft covering of the root. The fact that it has a tiny, fresh green leaf down by the crown is a WONDERFUL sign. It is trying to live, it is trying to send up new growth. Get the plant in a container that drains, hopefully in a media that will also dry out and put it in very indirect light. And hope it makes it. Please read the page on Phalaenopsis Orchid Care and also the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

If your real question is: do the plants keep leaves after the blooms are done, or does everything die off and start over again?

My answer would be it depends on the orchid. Some, but not most do lose their leaves. Most of them do not. So losing leaves for the most part means something is wrong. Unless it is just a really old leaf.

You asked "Since it is now almost July, when should I start the low temp situation for re-blooming?"

If you are in the Northern hemisphere then think about September depending on your climate. Do not consider it for this orchid. This orchid needs to get more leaves and get healthy roots. It might not bloom for several years while it recuperates from root rot.

You ask "Is that an all day temp, or just at night? I could put it out in my garage at night and keep it in the house during the day, right?"

Nighttime temperatures. Or really just a temperature variation. So yes, it could be inside during the day and outside at night. I do this with some of mine. But make sure it does not frost while doing this. Not an issue where I live in September but in some places it could be.

Good luck,

Let us know how it goes.

Melissa
www.orchids-plus-more.com

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