Help! What’s happening with my Phalaenopsis Orchid?

Were you bought a beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid for your birthday and now it just doesn’t seem to be blooming as it should? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!

No matter what your orchid is up to, we’ve got the answers to help you keep your beloved flower in tip top condition throughout the year.

Help: my blooms are wilting/ falling off

Calm down, this is a normal part of an orchid’s lifecycle.

However, premature flower loss could be the result of a sudden change in temperature; for example, if the temperature becomes too low when the plant is dry or when the temperature rises too high when the roots have too much water.

To tackle this issue, it’s recommended that you avoid cold or warm drafts around your orchid, so keep them away from open windows or heat vents.

Help: the stem has changed colour

Once the flower stem of your orchid begins to turn brown, you’ll know that you won’t be seeing any more flower buds growing on it.

All you need to do is remove the entire brown spike – and inch from the base of the plant – as this will allow the plant to focus on keeping the leaves and roots healthy.

Help: the leaves have changed colour/look dull

Dark green leaves are the sign you should be looking for to discover if your orchid isn’t getting a sufficient amount of light.

If this is the case, simply move it into a brighter room, avoiding direct sunlight.

Meanwhile, white leaves – particularly if they die and turn black – mean that your orchid is simply getting too much light. In this case, all you need to do is move it out of direct sunlight and away from west-facing windows.

However, yellow leaves can be a little more difficult to tackle. If only the bottom of the leaf is beginning to turn yellow, your orchid is probably getting ready to make room for new growth. But if you notice yellow spots and the entire leaf eventually turns yellow, you can blame spider mites.

Leaves that are limp or dull and eventually wrinkle mean that your orchid is dehydrated; simply increase watering and repot it if its roots don’t look green and healthy.

Help: there are green spots on the blooms

The green spots on the flowers are an indication that the blooms are ageing which is a natural process, so no need to panic.

However, this ageing will happen a great deal faster if your plant is dehydrated; keep checking the colour of your orchid’s roots as this is a good indicator of whether your plant needs more water.

Help: the smallest buds are dying

It’s important to note that the smallest buds found on the flower spike are the most sensitive part of the plant and when it discards the unopened buds, it’s called “bud blast”. This will occur if the temperature suddenly changes, low levels of light or even due to you touching them with your hands.

To prevent this from happening, try to move your orchid to an area that receives plenty of indirect sunlight with a consistent temperature.

Help: are the roots rotting?

If the roots of your orchid are turning grey, mushy and smell of mould, there is one simply answer; your plant is overwatered.

The best thing to do is let it dry out, which could take up to 10 days. Once you’ve done this, resume watering it normally.

Help: there’s a sticky substance on my orchid

This “sticky substance” isn’t harmful to your orchid, so there’s nothing to worry about. This normally occurs when there is a sudden drop in temperature and your orchid becomes cold.

To remove this substance, simply wipe it off the leaves with a warm, damp towel. Simple!

Help: my plant is sunburnt

You’ll notice your leaves are sunburnt when you find yellow spots that eventually turn white. Unfortunately, there isn’t actually anything that can be done after a Phalaenopsis orchid suffers from heat damage.

The best way to ensure your Phalaenopsis orchid remains healthy and glowing is to regularly check its roots as they are a great indicator of how well your plant is doing. Well-watered roots should be a healthy green colour, while grey/ white ones reveal dehydration.

Help: my Phalaenopsis orchid lost all of its leaves

Unfortunately, if this occurs it’s normally a sign that your plant has a disease and is unlikely to recover. However, if it’s only lost one or two, you have nothing to worry about as this is perfectly normal. Now that you’ve learnt just about everything you need to know about your Phalaenopsis orchid, there’s no reason your plant won’t be blooming for the distant future.

If you’re planning to send Phalaenopsis orchid as a gift, you can shop at SerenataFlowers.com to choose from a fabulous range of white orchids, yellow orchids, pink orchids of various varieties all with free next day delivery in the UK.