Hello, this is my first post, please forgive me if I'm in the wrong section. My boyfriend bought me an orchid after the death of one of my pets so I am desperate to keep it alive. It was flowering for a month, then the flowers fell off gradually, nothing out of the ordinary. I watered it weekly or as needed (have over-watered previous orchid an know better now), allowing it to drain in the sink outside of its decorative vase. One night my grandma plugged in and cranked the heat up on her electric space heater and placed it near my orchid. The next morning it was dry and the stem was turning dark. I have been trying to save it ever since. I have been fertilizing it with 20/20/20 diluted properly in room temp water. It sits in my family room up high with my ceiling fan on low to keep air circulated. I have two large opaque sky lights in the room to provide bright, indirect light (you cannot see through the skylights but even on the darkest day, I never hav to turn a light on). The leaves are all upright, firm, and dark green as always, except one who is slightly yellowed and drooping as of yesterday. The stem is what worries me. It is darker than normal and very brittle...should I cut most of it away? Its better toward the leaves. The roots are mostly fine, I have removed the few that were mushy but most are firm and fine. Its potted it bark, holes at the bottom for drainage. Will try uploading pictures if I can. I know that's a lot of info, just trying to be thorough...thanks for looking. I really appreciate any advice!
As long as the moss is moist, your orchid does not need water. It is good that you drain the water into the outside vase, but I would pour the excess water out. For fertilizing, I recall seeing orchid food at WalMart. In addition, the plant needs some time for next round of budding or flowering.
Different kinds have different light, moisture and temperature requirements, if you look at orchid specialist literature they really get into it - like chefs with their recipes. Many are not really suitable for indoor cultivation, needing instead a bright, humid and well-ventilated greenhouse. To get useful tips specific to the variety you have (there are thousands of them) you really need to at least find out what type (genus or hybrid group) it is.
