A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum My vanilla orchid is not doing well

I recently bought a vanilla orchid for my boyfriend - he loves this plant, but it is not doing well.

We've been trying to water it about once a week, and keeping it out of direct sun, but when a few leaves died recently, we moved it into more sun to see if that would work. Now even more leaves seem to be dying.

Any advice? Also - the store where I bought it said it was a vanilla orchid, but I'm not sure. I have a picture but cannot figure out how to upload it with this post.

//www.agardenersforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/297514/Posting_photos.html#Post297514

above is a link to explain how you can post a photo here.
Or you can go to the information by going to: "New members"--then Chose "Member Benefits"- then chose "Posting Photos" Most of us here use photobucket. it is free & easy to use.

it could be your Orchid is just stressed, say from re-potting or just moving form its original home to your house. They sometimes will lose leaves when they are stressed. As long as there is new growth there is no real need for concern.
--It is recommended to water well once a week, BUT that orchids do not like soggy feet, so a well draining orchid soil/and pot is recommended. These can be bought ready made. as long as the soil is wet but not soggy you are good there---so check the soil before each watering. Your orchid also needs less watering in the fall.

Orchids like humidity, (year around) so a humidifier in the room it is in is nice..but I know people who put a bowl of water filled with pebbles under (or very near) the plant. The pebbles will keep the pot & thus the plant out of the water. keep an eye on the water to keep it full and fresh.
I have used a pot tray with glass pebbles in it.

Orchids like light but not extra bright or direct light nor do they like heat.--an Orchid can get sunburn from a direct bright light or heat.--Your orchid does however like a morning south facing window for light. A perfect temperature is between 80*F & 90*F with somewhere around 70* at night.

hang in there & keep us informed.

I could never keep an orchid in my house, so my daughter would take them home. (People always brought me orchids when I was in the hospital for some reason... )
Rachel has all those orchids in the middle of her dining table, and they all bloom constantly. I don't know what she does.....

Thank you so much! This is incredibly helpful.

Thank you!!! I really appreciate the help. This is really helpful.

You are welcome---