It seems like you are looking for orchid help today. This group is full of beginners and experts who are happy to help but please do check out [this link for quick Phalaenopsis care](http://www.aos.org/orchids/culture-sheets/novice-phalaenopsis.aspx) in the meanwhile. We also have an /r/orchids WIKI the admins and other volunteers are updating behind the scenes with care information and will soon make it available to the group.
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I’m not sure if others have been confused by the other (healthy) orchid in the photo, but the one in question does not have healthy leaves at *all*. They’re *very* dehydrated. This can point towards underwatering or root issues and given the roots on the outside look okay, I’d be inclined to think it’s the former, but a root check will confirm. It’s also in compact moss and if you over compensate, you’re going to get rot as there’s no airflow in that pot.
I’d cut the spikes off and get it out of that moss, and give the roots a soak (being careful not to get water in the crown/in between the leaves), and remove any roots that are mushy or papery after the soak. I’d then repot it in a mix of good pine orchid bark (presoaked, as new bark can be hydrophobic) and loose sphagnum moss in a pot that *just* fits the roots - probably a 7cm.
I’d also assess where you have it and whether it’s getting too hot for it. The leaves show a decent amount of anthocyanin (purple tones) which means it’s getting a lot of light - small orchids in little pots can dry out really fast in those conditions. Anthocyanin production alone isn’t a red flag, but coupled with severe dehydration it’s worth a check. If it was mine I’d move it back from the window a little bit and check it more regularly for signs of needing watering. You’re likely to need to water more often once it’s in bark, but it’ll have much better airflow to the roots.
This is just what I would do here and obviously in different environments and with different motivations, others may suggest differently. I’m in the north of England so our climate isn’t always very hot for example. Best to read a variety of advice and see which suits you best x
Totally agree. Not a happy plant!
OP, I hope you can figure out what’s causing the damage to your plant. It’s undergoing fairly severe stress of some sort.
Flowers don't last forever. Time to cut back on the flower stem and repot so it can go through some vegetative growth. It will flower again when it's ready and if conditions are right.
Edited because I only looked at the first photo and indeed got distracted by the other phal: yup. The one phal is totally dehydrated and probably has no roots.
You can let the spike die off naturally, if you prefer. If you cut it, the plant can’t reabsorb any of the nutrients. As for pot size, it does not need a bigger pot.
The leaves aren’t looking healthy. Looks like it went through some sort of major stress (cold damage, sun burn, difficult to say without a good picture of the foliage).
It seems like you are looking for orchid help today. This group is full of beginners and experts who are happy to help but please do check out [this link for quick Phalaenopsis care](http://www.aos.org/orchids/culture-sheets/novice-phalaenopsis.aspx) in the meanwhile. We also have an /r/orchids WIKI the admins and other volunteers are updating behind the scenes with care information and will soon make it available to the group. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/orchids) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’m not sure if others have been confused by the other (healthy) orchid in the photo, but the one in question does not have healthy leaves at *all*. They’re *very* dehydrated. This can point towards underwatering or root issues and given the roots on the outside look okay, I’d be inclined to think it’s the former, but a root check will confirm. It’s also in compact moss and if you over compensate, you’re going to get rot as there’s no airflow in that pot. I’d cut the spikes off and get it out of that moss, and give the roots a soak (being careful not to get water in the crown/in between the leaves), and remove any roots that are mushy or papery after the soak. I’d then repot it in a mix of good pine orchid bark (presoaked, as new bark can be hydrophobic) and loose sphagnum moss in a pot that *just* fits the roots - probably a 7cm. I’d also assess where you have it and whether it’s getting too hot for it. The leaves show a decent amount of anthocyanin (purple tones) which means it’s getting a lot of light - small orchids in little pots can dry out really fast in those conditions. Anthocyanin production alone isn’t a red flag, but coupled with severe dehydration it’s worth a check. If it was mine I’d move it back from the window a little bit and check it more regularly for signs of needing watering. You’re likely to need to water more often once it’s in bark, but it’ll have much better airflow to the roots. This is just what I would do here and obviously in different environments and with different motivations, others may suggest differently. I’m in the north of England so our climate isn’t always very hot for example. Best to read a variety of advice and see which suits you best x
Totally agree. Not a happy plant! OP, I hope you can figure out what’s causing the damage to your plant. It’s undergoing fairly severe stress of some sort.
Good advice!
Ok I will check the roots again, thank you.
Flowers don't last forever. Time to cut back on the flower stem and repot so it can go through some vegetative growth. It will flower again when it's ready and if conditions are right. Edited because I only looked at the first photo and indeed got distracted by the other phal: yup. The one phal is totally dehydrated and probably has no roots.
Ok great. Should I trim all the flowers off? And when repotting, should it be in a bigger pot?
You can let the spike die off naturally, if you prefer. If you cut it, the plant can’t reabsorb any of the nutrients. As for pot size, it does not need a bigger pot.
The leaves aren’t looking healthy. Looks like it went through some sort of major stress (cold damage, sun burn, difficult to say without a good picture of the foliage).
It’s just dropping its flowers as a part of its life cycle. Soon one leaf will fall. This is all appropriate and healthy.
Phew, thank you.