Help: Underwattered Phal.

[Petal Pusher]

Thanks so much for all your help! I need a little advice from you. I
started a new job and sort of forgot my orchids (phals). So they
didn't get watered for a while. Probably 2 weeks. The orchid in
question has a bloom spike on it. But the buds are not fully developed
yet. The problem I see is that all its loveley, formerly plump,
leaves are now all wrinkly and thin. Obviously it needs water. I
thoroughly soaked it and fertilized it. Is there anything else i can
do to help it recovere more quickly? It is just killing me to see its
poor shriviled leaves. It was so full and beautiful. ARGH. I am so mad
at myself. So I want to do everything I can to help it recover
properly. Any help would be most appreciated.

[orchid doctor]

Dear Petal pusher:

It seems odd to me that two weeks without water would cause such
extreme desiccation in a Phalaenopsis. Some spongyness and wrinkling
certainly, but not the dire situation you describe. If perhaps the
location of your plant had very low humidity, that might account for
the limpness and wrinkling of the leaves. Or perhaps it was closer to
a month! In any case, all you can do is water as needed, keep the
plant from too much light or extremes in conditions and hope for the
best. Keep the plant in a warm, moderatly bright, and humid location.

By all means water as soon as the plant needs it, based on the drying
of the potting mix, and water copiously when you do water so all the
roots and all the potting mix is thoroughly moistened (soaking it was
a good way to do this). Do not water more frequently, as overwatering
a weak plant is not a great idea. I would also not fertilize. I wish
you had written before you fertilized, as this can burn dry roots. so
no more fertilizer until the leaves and roots are as plump as they
were previously. By now you should see the plant recovering. If not
please write to me again, and perhaps send a digital picture of the
leaves and roots.

Sincerely,
Dennis

[Petal Pusher]

Dear Dennis,
Thanks so much for your advice. I agree with you it might have
been more like a month since I last watered it. I just started a new
job and my whole routine has been turned upside down and the poor
orchids bore teh brunt of that. Poor things.

Anyway, I am seeing improvements in the plant. Its leaves
definily look better than before. However, it is going to lose a leaf.
Its turning yellow and I think it will drop it soon. This is its
oldest leaf though; since it had so much new growth this summer, it
may have been ready to drop it anyway.

I will try to get a picture of it posted tonight for you.

Thanks again.

-Melannie