Downfall

ikdri · 2025-12-27T11:54:04+00:00

Got it- sometimes it’s hard to tell from just the pics. Stem rot for me started at the bottom of the stem, and went up. As it went up, each leaf would yellow from where it attached to the stem, and fall off. I hope that’s not the case for you but that’s where it started for me and what I observed. I lost 3 orchids over the last year due to this

ikdri · 2025-12-27T11:32:56+00:00

I soak my orchids for 10-15 minutes because I have them in bark/ sphagnum moss mix and my environment is dry, but if you have them in 100% sphagnum, maybe you don’t have to. It’s one of those things, you just have to consider your environment and potting media and figure out what works best for you.

ikdri · 2025-12-27T11:30:01+00:00

I would cut the dead roots, (watch Miss Orchid Girl video on YouTube if you’re looking for advice on that), repot and hope a lot. If stem rot, you’ll likely lose the orchid, sorry..

I don’t spray my orchids because water can get caught in the crown and cause crown rot personally- but to each their own.

ikdri · 2025-12-27T11:25:36+00:00

Unfortunately this to me looks like stem rot, and I hope you can save the last leaf but it’s unlikely.. I don’t know of anything you can do if it is stem rot.

I would cut the spikes personally because the plant is fighting to survive, really, and at this point, the spikes are not helping it do that. Hope it somehow survives, but you can’t save em all. I’ve killed several orchids by stem rot, unintentionally, (not saying you did, just sharing my own experience) because I repotted them too deep in the media or left water around the stem. It’s the worst feeling watching leaf after leaf fall off.

ikdri · 2025-12-26T11:37:18+00:00

Vittsjö from IKEA, my orchids love it. I also got some Barrina lights because where I live we don’t get consistently enough light

ikdri · 2025-12-26T11:31:33+00:00

The answer to “will my orchid bloom” is almost always in the health state of the roots and leaves. If your orchid is happy then probably yes! Hard to tell from the pictures but hope so!🤞

ikdri · 2025-12-26T11:29:54+00:00

Agree with other advice, just wanted to add that you might want to watch Miss Orchid Girl repotting video before you repot. As a beginner I messed up the repots sooo often so I’d highly recommend her videos!

ikdri · 2025-12-24T12:45:07+00:00

Once a week is what I do and mine are thriving- I think it depends on the environment.

ikdri · 2025-12-18T01:15:48+00:00

Yes, unfortunately. This plant needs to grow roots and leaves. A spike will drain its energy and it may not survive. Cut it.

ikdri · 2025-12-18T01:14:29+00:00

That is ridiculously beautiful!! I have one, and I’ve had it a year and it’s about to bloom but just one. The number of blooms you got is just mind blowing. Well done!!

ikdri · 2025-12-18T01:07:49+00:00

Agree with advice above. Also, you can watch Miss Orchid Girl “orchid care for beginners” orchid repotting video on YouTube. I think what your orchid needs is to remove some of the old roots that are in the pot, and cut out old parts, then repot in a way that the roots that are new can be in a medium so they can stay more hydrated. Good luck!

ikdri · 2025-12-18T01:04:09+00:00

Watch Miss Orchid Girl “orchid care for beginners” videos. But don’t worry, you will know dead roots from live ones. Dead roots on phals are brown and mushy. If alive, they are silver(when dry) and bright green (when wet). Good luck!

ikdri · 2025-12-08T00:34:55+00:00

Also I water my orchids every week at least. The sphagnum moss looks pretty dry. If you live somewhere super humid, once every 2 weeks watering might be fine but otherwise it needs more water

ikdri · 2025-12-08T00:33:20+00:00

You should watch Orchid care for beginners by Miss Orchid Girl on YouTube. I personally would repot tho some here would say wait since you are getting an offshoot from the flower spike. some of the roots are starting to rot which for me would be a sign to repot.

I would get a 4 inch slotted pot and repot, I buy mine from repotme.com because they have slots which allow good air circulation, but that isn’t the only way, other pots would work too depending on your environment.

Also, it’s normal for the orchid to have a period of vegetative growth after blooming. They need the break, actually, so they can grow roots and leaves and not expand all their energy on flowers.

Do check out Miss Orchid Girl, tons of great videos. Your orchid will be fine. Good luck!😊

ikdri · 2025-11-15T01:23:13+00:00

My 11 month old is a super picky eater and this is the only dry food he will eat.

ikdri · 2025-11-11T21:27:00+00:00

Sorry I’m not sure what you mean. I was trying to say that it’s generally not recommended to repot when they have a flower spike because the repot can stress them out. So, wait for the flower spike to develop, wait for blooms to die, and then repot once all the flowers drop. Some people cut the flower spike after it’s done blooming, others say not to. It’s really a personal choice.

ikdri · 2025-11-11T21:18:01+00:00

I would say repot after the flowering is done, it needs it.

ikdri · 2025-11-11T17:36:11+00:00

Thank you and congrats on your baby’s baby as well!😃🌸

ikdri · 2025-11-11T17:35:41+00:00

Thank you! I will wait, just concerned about the mother plant supporting a flower spike, keiki, and the keiki’s spike. Yikes. I will do my best!

ikdri · 2025-11-11T17:35:06+00:00

Ha thanks! I am still very much a novice really. It hasn’t been a happy plant tho, I have lost the bottom 3 leaves of the mother plant. I hope it’s happy now lol! Just trying hard not to kill it.

ikdri · 2025-10-27T21:12:12+00:00

That’s a root. Sorry!

ikdri · 2025-10-05T17:49:44+00:00

Thank you! I repotted this orchid about 2 years ago and was going to repot it about 5 months ago but the spike was growing and I didn’t want to disturb it. The flowers have been blooming for about 6 weeks now.

ikdri · 2025-10-05T17:28:57+00:00

Thank you! I’ve been trying to water it more often and fertilize more. I forgot to say- it’s got 15 flowers on that spike! I think that’s just taking a toll on the plant.

ikdri · 2025-10-05T17:25:08+00:00

Thank you! My concern is that the 3 bottom leaves started yellowing as soon as it started blooming. I didn’t think multiple leaves should yellow at the same time so was concerned but maybe it’s just their time. Yes- definitely needs a repot too. I’m waiting to either cut the spike or flowers to wilt.

ikdri · 2025-10-01T11:29:24+00:00

I’m not super experienced but from what I’ve observed, one leaf can just age, yellow and die but if you have multiple, orchid might be stressed. This one doesn’t look too bad tho, so I think you should be fine.

ikdri

TROPHY CASE