Soft leaved, neglected orchid - Orchid Board

orchid rescue · #1 12-12-2009, 03:18 PM

I have just rescued an orchid that has been going without water for who knows how long. It is a phalaenopsis and the leaves are limp and desperate for hydration.
The roots look good though, and so I soaked it in water for probably 2 hours or more, the whole plant.
I'm wondering, is there a chance it will recover?
It is a pretty large phal, with the longest leaf about 8 or more inches.

I have saved a few orchids before, but the phal is usually my most difficult to help.

I really need some pointers here on recovering neglected orchids, as these are pretty much the only ones I get. I just hate seeing poor pitiful orchids that aren't being properly cared for.
I'm new to the site, but hope to spend a lot of time here.

PaphMadMan · #2 12-12-2009, 03:34 PM

If the roots are healthy you have a good chance at saving it. You'll see soon if the leaves rehydrate. If you do save some leaves recovery could go quickly. If all leaves are lost it will be much slower. Good luck.

orchid rescue · #3 12-12-2009, 03:43 PM

The leaves look basically fine, they are just limp and leathery.

There are 6 leaves. Would it be better for recovery if I cut off a couple?

I really don't want to lose this orchid. I hate failing at rescuing them.
Thanks

trdyl · #4 12-12-2009, 03:45 PM

It would be good to put into fresh medium if you have not already done so. Also don't keep it too wet.

And

Welcome to Orchid Board!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #5 12-12-2009, 04:39 PM

Here's the natural habitat of a Phalaenopsis, hopefully this will jog ideas...

1. The evergreens come from tropical South East Asian countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Malaysia. High humidity (partially because of the ocean, and partially because of what I'm going to mention in item #2) and intermediate to warm temperatures year round. The lowest it should ever get is 60 F. Temperatures over 100 F is not necessary. Actually...it's best to avoid temperatures over 100 F, most orchids don't grow in these temperatures in Indonesia (where I was born), so I've been told by my parents.

2. They're found in mid-elevation swamp forests or in lowlands near rivers or streams (they're big rivers). Humidity is usually high because of this (60% and up)

3. They grow on trees, most of which have little to no moss growing on them. They usually don't grow well potted in full moss. Bark is better. If you have to put a thin top layer of moss on top to make sure there's enough moisture retention, that's fine.

Mounted culture can be done, provided humidity is sufficient enough (at least around 60%)

Semi-hydroponics can be utilized for those who wanna try or for those who have very low humidity.

4. They grow in bright shade.

5. They grow horizontally or pendulously, not vertically.

Check these pics out. Hopefully things about their cultural needs will click.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarawaklens/4097397998/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarawaklens/4097399362/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarawak...n/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarawak...n/photostream/

Thank the person who took the photos, ("Sarawak Lens"), they aren't mine.

RosieC · #6 12-12-2009, 05:32 PM

As already said, if it has good roots there is a good chance for it.

Don't cut off the leaves. The plant will drop them it's self if they are too much for it to support. I have one which is in recovery and it has a leaf I've been expecting to drop for six months as it's even got a brownish tint, but the Phal keeps hanging on to it and the leaf has plumped up again.

Don't expect them to loose the leathery feel to the leaves... the leaves will plump up and gain regidity if it is getting enough hydration, but they will still be somewhat leathery and wrinkled. New leaves should be normal though.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #7 12-12-2009, 06:19 PM

Don't cut anything that is still alive and not rotting. Let everything fall off on their own.

Only cut rotting portions, and with a sterilized cutting tool (since you've grow orchids before this is just a reminder).

Gwenchanter · #8 12-15-2009, 02:36 PM

I have re-hydrated a few phals that were extreemly soft and limp with good results. Recently I rescued one from a friend that was so limp I really didn't think it would make it. The medium was good and the roots were good it was just super super dry. The leaves felt like soft cloth and were extreemly floppy. I gave it a good heavy watering and then put it inside a plastic gallon size freezer bag and left the top open for ventilation. It responded very well and looks like a regular rigid leaved phal now after two weeks. I took it out of the bag today and it's none the worse for wear except it did loose one of the bottom leaves which turned yellow and fell off. There is for sure hope for your phal. I've found that over drying is much less deadly then overwatering.

orchid rescue · #9 12-16-2009, 01:55 PM

I soaked the plant in a bowl of water for over 24 hours. It perked up! It is now rigid, as it should be.
Then, I wrapped it in a plastic bag for about a day.
Now, I'm deciding how to "re-pot" it.

I really appreciate the tips and all. Especially to King Of Orchid Growing. I like to see these plants in the wild, it gives me a much better idea how to care for them.
Yet, how do you always see a phal presented? IN A POT. I don't want to grow this one that way, though that is how it was.
I plan to put it into a pot, but more horizontally if possible, OR attach to a slab or something.
I usually see roots right at the bottom of each orchid I get that are rotten. I don't trust that.

orchid rescue · #10 12-18-2009, 12:50 PM

I have rescued 3 more phals and have soaked them. They are now bare root.
I am wondering, how long can I keep them this way?
I plan to pot them into hydro balls for semi-hydroponics but don't have pots yet.
If I mist them daily, several times a day etc, will they be OK for a week or two?