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Orchid in Distress

NbreakspeareNbreakspeare Posts: 13
in Problem solving
Please see photos including what it looks like in flower as I cannot recall the species. All my other orchids are thriving indoors with loads of blooms. This one has been struggling for some time and recently had a new flower steam with several buds that ended up dropping off before they opened with the stem going yellow. Last December, I repotted the orchid in a new pot and mix as the original mix had broken down and was retaining too much moisture causing leaf colour change. So why is it not thriving? I water and feed it as I have done previously and since it was given as a gift successfully had it flower again without any problem including May last year. Any advice welcome please. 


Posts

  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    I am thinking that you are asking about the one that isn't in flower or it been but not now. The pot it is in is it standing in another pot without drainage? Is the plant waterlogged?
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    From a distance, w/o seeing the plant, I would say: overwatered, possible left standing in water.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    It's a Phalaenopsis,or moth orchid. Has it been moved,are the others in a similar position. They do need a cool holiday after flowering
     Bud drop is usually dry air,or central heating
     Their natural habitat is the rainforest,shady under trees, damp moist, but not waterlogged. So,out of direct sunlight,spray leaves,rain water. When watering, leave to drain completely. Re-potting should be done in spring
     Occasionally,a lower leaf will go brown/yellow,fall off or I will cut off. Hope this helps. The multi stem ones with large white flowers are bullet proof, I've had some in flower since they came in from the garden last September.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited April 2023
    Phalaenopsis, (? background pic 2) are much easier in a room situation.  Mine flower for about 9 months every year.  I have got Cymbidiums to reflower occasionally, but poorly, and swamped by leaf growth.

    They're cheap enough, better to start with a new one.  But first sort out what caused yours to have a problem.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    In a room situation as opposed to what? I've got over 30 orchids, different varieties, once the frosts have passed,they all go in hanging baskets under trees,much easier to feed and water then.it would cost me a small fortune to replace them. The last one I bought my husband for Christmas 2021 cost £25.Thats a dendrobium
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Cymbidiums require a cold spell thru Autumn/early winter and they will then ( or should) flower profusely from Feb to April. Beautiful flowers if you can keep them correctly,
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Hello Phillipa,yes, that was what I was trying to say. Poster asks for advice and help, for the problem....gets told bin it,go buy a new one!!
  • NbreakspeareNbreakspeare Posts: 13
    Thank you for all your feedback and for identifying it as a Cymbidium orchid. I have it in an orchid pot so any excess water drains away from the potting mix. It’s sitting on an east-facing window sill. But perhaps I have been watering too much. I have trimmed away the yellowing leaves and am thinking of splitting it into two plants in case that may help encourage new growth. 
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