My take? Less water until you get her into more light. The pot should feel light when you pick it up, because the inside is almost dry. That's when you should water. Try a wooden skewer stuck into the mix. Pull it out and when it's barely damp, then water. Maybe post a picture if you can... Andrew

The bottom leaf is probably just at the end of its life and is gradually dying. It will turn yellow/orange and dry up and eventually fall off. The top leaf does look as if it is suffering from sunburn. These plants like light but not direct sun on their leaves except weak sun early morning or evening. lack of water would make all of the leaves limp and crinkly not a single leaf go like that.

Sean, a belated welcome, A couple of my earlier messages to you haven't posted here. You have my sympathy and empathy with your orchid loss, especially because it was a thoughtful and special gift for your GF, and she's loved it so. You've gone to great lengths to save this plant. Not many folks would have done that. Kudos to you. Dunno if this will help ease the loss for the two of you, but the beloved Phal could have been doomed before you got it because of the no drainage factor. The only retailers who raise orchids to last beyond that one (unnatural) flowering are the smaller commercial orchid growers, and some of those mistreat their plants, so you end up with poor quality too. You're in good company: virtually every orchid hobbyist lost at least a few of their first orchids. After you and your GF have had a chance to talk, & if you decide to get another orchid, I have two suggestions that will increase chances the new orchid will thrive and bloom again (no guarantees, unfortunately - we're talking orchids. :)). First, as Jane said, get Ortho's All About Orchids by Elvin McDonald; Meredith Books, 1999. It's a paperback, and Amazon's got them new for $2.79! Then there's shipping from their vendor, but the book was about $20 @ Home Depot a couple of years ago. The Ortho book's only 96 pages long and has guided tons of folks to success. After the two of you have skimmed through the book... Second suggestion - order a Phal from a grower who sells online. Picking out the new Phal together could help brighten your moods. There are lots of good growers who sell online, and folks here will suggest solid growers, if you decide to go that route. We can also tell you which Phals might be easier than others. One drawback is a new plant may not arrive in spike (have a "stem" maybe long enough to have buds on it already), or in bloom (flowers open). That's because the orchid's environment hasn't been messed with to force it to bloom way out of its natural cycle, like orchids you find in stores, even garden centers. This process could have compromised your orchid's health, too. But, you're in luck - this is the time of year lots of Phals are in spike. I live in Minneapolis, MN and see you're in SE Nebraska. We're geographically challenged in the orchid world. There may be small commercial growers kinda near you or your GF's school, but none that sell online as far as I know. Also, the only show around here where you can buy orchids is in conjunction with the St. Paul Winter Carnival in January, and only a few vendors attend. It's the absolute worst time to buy an orchid cuz of its exposure to cold temps. People in Chicago, S CA, FL, and farther up the E coast live in paradise re: lots of good growers and big shows throughout the year. I'll be thinking about you two. Please let us know how it's going. Whitecat8 Here is a link that might be useful: Ortho's All About Orchids, Amazon.com

You might be able to get a basal keiki, but I fear you have killed the remaining roots with the peroxide spraying. You should stop that immediately! You had a chance because you had viable roots. The leaf is a gonner. You need to protect those roots. Your only shot is to increase your room temps. 70's if possible. Increase light (even though the leaf will fall off). Increase humidity. If you have some rooting hormone, put a little around the root base. Put the plant in some moist, small bark or sphag and warm it up (Arthurs suggestion of heating pad is a good one) -- then, forget about it! Don't look or water again until you see some signs of life which will probably be early Spring - March or so. You got crown rot because your temps are too low for that plant and you might have gotten some water in the crown. Phals like warmth, 60's is too low to promote growth. Your main thrust should be to warm the plant and forget about it. Jane