So sorry to hear about your mom. That is a beautiful orchid to remember her by.

I can't confirm whether the pits on the leaves are due to mites as I have no experience with these. You can sometimes ID mites by running a tissue along the underside of the leaf. If you get tiny little red streaks you have mites. Hopefully someone else can give more advice on this front.

The yellow leaf (when the plant has sucked all possible nutrients from it) should snap of naturally near the trunk of the plant. If you look from the side, you should be able to see a faint (almost vertical) line at the base of the leaf. This is the natural breaking point.

I don't see a new growth in the picture near the leaf unless you mean the long white thing. This is an aerial root - no different than the ones that are potted, just growing in the air.

That said, what concerns me is that this orchid seems to be potted in soil? Since most orchids are naturally epiphytes (grow on trees) their roots are exposed to the air. When potted in soil, the soil stays too wet much too long and doesn't allow air to get to the roots. Eventually the roots suffocate and rot. Usually orchids are potted in either sphagnum moss, bark, or a bark mix containing charcoal and perlite, these are all designed to get lots of oxygen to the roots. The pot may be a little too large for the plant as well. You want a pot with lots of drainage that is just large enough to fit the rootball.

Everyone comes across a speed bump or two with their first orchid. I think you'll find that when the dust settles you can care for this beauty for years to come.

Best of luck,
Jem

ugh... i took it to the local nursery and THEY potted it for me... said to get a larger pot (so i wouldn't have to repot every few months) AND sold me some kind of soil for orchids! omg... this is too stressful for me... i'm going to cry!

i just checked the bag and it's potted in miracle grown orchid potting mix. should i just replant in another (smaller) pot or do i go out an find some bark? also, i swiped the undersides of the leaves and there are no red streaks...

WHY do people send things and expect we'll know how to take care of them???

Your potting medium that you choose will relate to your watering habits, the ambient humidity, and air circulation. If your conditions tend towards dry, then sphagnum would be a better choice (with white, S-shaped styrofoam peanuts in the bottom of the pot for drainage). If you tend towards being an overwaterer, then a bark mix would most likely be a better choice.

Second, if you like the decorative pot, then what you need to do is pot the plant into a plastic orchid pot (has several largish drainage holes in the bottom), and set into the clay pot. You have a recipe for disaster by placing the plant in a drip pot. The tendency will be to let water run out the bottom and fill the saucer, which eliminates air from the roots and keeps it constantly wet.

I think you'll find that once you get it potted in the right medium, with the right pot, it'll be relatively easy to care for. Getting it to rebloom may be somewhat a challenge depending upon where you keep it, and relates more to light levels and light hours than anything else.

Best wishes...

-Bruce

Miracle Grow orchid potting mix is very fine, which is suited to phalaenopsis. However, if you use it, you may need to repot six months down the line as the mix may break down quicker than regular orchid potting mix.

As Bruce says, if the pot the plant is in has no drainage holes, that is sure death. If it does have drainage holes, it's still a bit big for the plant. Too much medium stays too wet and results in rot. You can consider repotting into a smaller pot and then slip that into the decorative one.

In any case, get yourself some shishkabob skewers from the grocery store, trim one down and put it in the medium and leave it there. The next time you think the plant needs water take the skewer out. Touch it to your cheek, lip, or the back of your hand. If it's wet, don't water. If it's nearly dry or dry, water. How wet or dry the skewer is before you water will depend on the type of orchid. Your phalaenopsis likes to be wet and then get almost, but not quite, dry before being watered again.

Whatever you do, don't panic. You'll be fine.

From my personal experiences, I feel like Phalaenopsis is the easiest orchid to take care of. It does not require a lot of light and where it's at in the pictures is very sufficient. I have neglected my first one more than once and it's still alive and kicking. I have gotten it to rebloom every year except this year (didn't have sufficient light where we lived last fall and winter).

You will do well by the Phal. Now that you have it in some better potting media you won't have such a difficult time. In 6 months when you're ready to repot again come back here if you have any questions. You might google to see if there is an Orchid Society in your area - they are a great resource and a wonderful bunch of people.

I think the most of your stress is the meaning this plant has for you, but you're sure to do well - you're on the right track now.

My condolences and best wishes.

Hi, the yellow leaf i don't think is a problem, i believe its just a natural event, however it looks as though the other leaves might be sun burned. Does the plant get any direct sun in that window? Also i plant all my phals. in a medium bark mix, not fine. I hope this helps you, i agree that phals. are pretty easy to grow. Hank......

yes... the orchid sits in that west-facing window all the time. should i move it ...maybe to indirect sun?

thanks so much for the great advice. i will repot in a smaller container and put it back in the larger, decorative pot. i'll be sure to put a skewer in there too. i'll let you know how we're doing...

but wait... what happens when the flowers fall off? do i do anything at that point? thanks again for holding my hand.

My opinion is to leave 'well enough alone.' The plant looks fine, the leaf loss is normal. If you are careful with your watering, the mix should be okay. Just don't over-water. Your plant doesn't look sun-burned so leave it in the bright light. Use your judgment, if you think the leaves are getting burned, move it back a bit.

The greyish growth is a root which is normal for this orchid. Just remember how these plants grow naturally - clinging to tree trunks, getting rained on and drying out quickly. Their roots are adapted to be in the air, not soil. If it sits in water, it will rot.

When the flowers finish, it is up to you what to do. You can cut the spike off and let the plant grow new leaves over the summer (that is what I do)and then it will send a new spike in the Fall. If the old spike remains green, you might get a few more flowers, but it won't look as nice as a new spike. Please check the FAQ's on the main page of this forum for more info.

These are tough plants and can take beginner treatment. You will be fine.

My sincere condolences on your loss,

Jane

The lower leaves are pitting. From my experience with my Phals, if you put them in a west window they do tend to get sunburn and do the pitting. Moving it to indirect sunlight would be more beneficial or at least moving it to less intense direct sunlight (further away from the window). Phals are very resilient and it most likely will not drop the blooms. When the dust settles with this small issue I hope you'll be able to experience the fun part with your Phal. It's so rewarding when you get it to rebloom too! Make sure it gets its cool nights this coming fall for at least a month or two and it's sure to bloom next spring (mine does in February like clock work).

thank you all for the much needed encouragement. the blooms do look healthy, the leaves while discolored seem sturdy. i've moved it away from the westerly window to the living room. still bright, but not near the windows. thanks again! i'll check in and let you know how it's going.

I had the same problem with my Phalaenopsis and I came to find that it lacked the proper nutrients. I used Terracycle Orchid Plant Food containing liquid worm poop and it gave a sturdiness and lush green color. Many orchid growers are turning to this new Orchid Food because it works and does not require any mixing.

Here is a link that might be useful: Terracycle Orchid Plant Food with Liquid Worm Poop