What has happened to my orchid?

[Mrstrumpalot]

I am not very good with houseplants but have managed to keep my orchid going for a good few months just by standing it in a sink of water for 15 mins every week.

But now the petals are dropping off and I will be left with 2 bare stalks. What should I do next please?
It was given to me as a gift and I don't want it to end up in the bin like my houseplants usually do!

[Rojak]

What are leaves looking like? If leaves are green and glossy- orchid is fine but may have stopped flowering for now.

Continue to feed / water and it will flower again but may be 6 or more months

[MrsBertBibby]

It may flower again, ours has, just by don't of sitting on the sill and getting watered periodically.

[MrsBertBibby]

Dint, not Don't.

[TwitterQueen1]

Too much water. Orchids need very little. the best way to look after them is to pretend they are not there.

A bit of water every couple of weeks is enough. Not soaking it though.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Too much water! Tiny bit every 2 or 3 weeks ime.

[Mrstrumpalot]

I've only stood it in water every week for 15 minutes so it could draw up what it needs if that makes sense.
Leaves are still glossy but I don't particularly want to look at 2 bare stalks for the next few months!
So can I put it in another room out of the way and occasionally water? What about plant food?

[TwitterQueen1]

15 minutes every week is drowning it.

Yes, put it out of the way and ignore it. Give it a dribble every few weeks and see if anything happens.

[JT05]

You can get specific orchid food from garden centres. However they need very little, if any.
Mine is in a bright spot, but not direct sunlight. I ignore it and only water sparingly when the leaves look wrinkled.
If flowers and reflowers on the same stalk.

[Mrstrumpalot]

Thanks all. Will wait until last bloom drops off and then move it into dining room.

[WaaWaaWaaa]

Yep the bare stalks may die back so cut the brown bits off. Then ignore it. Water every few weeks when it occurs to you! Only plants I keep alive! Iv had somecof mine for 8 years or so

[flumpybear]

Let the bare stalks die off and cut them to the dead end leaving living part as sometimes you get off shoots from old stalls and sometimes from the base

Intend to run water through the roots (make sure it's a light coloured plastic pot its in, and leave any tendrils as they seek light). After it's had a 'shower' I leave it to drain for half an hour or so and put it back
Into the bigger China pot and leave it for a few weeks
Occasionally I'll use baby bio orchid food, I put into water and stand the orchid in it for a few mins then pour the food/water through like a shower again and drain, leave again for a few weeks

[Rojak]

I find it likes good light to flower so a sunny windowsill is ideal if you have one

[yamadori]

If you look at the stalks about halfway down, there will be slight lumps where new shoots are waiting to grow. Cut the stalks about 1cm above the highest lump. Wait a while and the shoot will will grow into a new flower spike.