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Help! 1st orchid and its dying

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Kay3jazz, Jun 20, 2017.

  1. Kay3jazz

    Kay3jazz New Member

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    Hello!
    I received my first Orchid about a month ago and all has been going well until the last couple of days the instructions said to water it every 3 days and to leave the water in the bowl for 30 minutes and then to dump it all out so ive been doing that. I've also been keeping it in my kitchen window out of direct sunlight and where it's humid. But the couple of times i wated it I think I may have over-watered it. I got distracted and side tracked and I left the water in for more than 30 minutes ( more like an hour or 2) the last two times I watered it and now my plant looks like it's dying what can I do to save it? Also I noticed some of the tips of the roots were turning black so I cut those parts off. any advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you so much!
     

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  2. Steve B

    Steve B Active Member Supporting Member

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    Welcome,kay3jazz. Looks like you have a vanda type orchid,best I can tell.I grow lots of them out by my pool in my pool cage and they do very well in baskets with roots hanging freely,lots of sun through the screen and watering every day with my well water or rain water. They like high humidity which is hard to get inside a house so they are not the best orchid for house plants.
    I would think your roots are starting to rot in that bowl with no air around them and no ability to dry out well.Then,the plant will dehydrate and die.I would get it out of the bowl and spray it once or twice daily til the roots are green. Then,be sure there is air movement around it,good light,and good humidity.Moving it outside would be a good choice if you have warm weather and humidity. Maybe you can then save it. If it's happy, it will start growing new green or purple root tips.
    My opinion only.others here may have other,better suggestions.
     
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  3. Kay3jazz

    Kay3jazz New Member

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    Hello there thank you so much for your suggestions I live in South Florida so we have lots of humidity. I'll move it onto my porch and try to find a better solution to give the roots some more air. I hope that will be a good start. Thanks again!
     
  4. Steve B

    Steve B Active Member Supporting Member

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    Good.i live in Crystal River,Florida near Ocala.You should be able to grow this plant where you are.The roots need moisture but then air around them so they can dry in between.
     
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  5. KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Welcome to the forum.

    I agree with what Steve said. I don't see any signs of rot but being in the vase long term will not be good for the plant IMO. I think the wilt of the flowers may just be the natural end of their flowering but without knowing how old the flowers are it is difficult to say.

    These like bright light but if you remove it from the vase and take it outside (in a basket or similar) I would keep it shady for a week or so to let it acclimate.

    Good luck with it and welcome to the world of orchids.
     
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  6. Kay3jazz

    Kay3jazz New Member

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    Thanks so much for your advice! Im definitely going to try a basket and see how that goes along with putting it on my porch where it can still be shaded. I should look in to the cycle of the orchid and the natural end of their cycle as you mentioned. I hope your right that maybe its just the end of their cycle. Thanks again!
     
  7. Chuck-NH

    Chuck-NH Well-Known Member

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    Hi and welcome...I have friends and family in South Florida who just hang them from a tree branch and water nearly every sunny day. Would also recommend visiting a local Orchid society where you can get tips from locals.
     
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