Can this one survive?

[estación seca]

At least it wasn't the cats.

[mjgord51]

Originally Posted by estación seca

At least it wasn't the cats.

They hate cats, but they do have a LARGE POODLE though, LOL

---------- Post added at 08:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:35 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Don't trim them - they are still green and can do photosynthesis to feed the plant. They will look ugly until the plant loses the leaves naturally (may take a few years). But when the plant is done with the leaves it will shed them. Until then, for the survival of the plant, leave them. alone.

Thanks, yeah it does look Ugly and this is another reason why I had to rescue it from my Daughter as also she has ONLY just watered it for 5 years. This one hasn't came back with any new flowers this time so at least I'll re plant it with new bedding material. I was told by one of the ladies working at our local Orchid Society in Landers ,CA (Gublers) when re planting them to use what was there already for the bedding material.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by mjgord51

I was told by one of the ladies working at our local Orchid Society in Landers ,CA (Gublers) when re planting them to use what was there already for the bedding material.

I think that you should use fresh sphagnum, or else small/medium bark. If you are in Landers, you're close to Gubler's and they probably have some that they can sell you. But if it is been in that sphagnum for 5 years, you definitely don't want to reuse it! The fresh medium will dry out faster (you will need to water more often) but that is good - when you water, water well - let water run through the pot, which pulls air into the root zone and flushes out crud. Then, as it dries, the water is replaced with more air - so the roots get the humid air that they need.

[mjgord51]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I think that you should use fresh sphagnum, or else small/medium bark. If you are in Landers, you're close to Gubler's and they probably have some that they can sell you. But if it is been in that sphagnum for 5 years, you definitely don't want to reuse it! The fresh medium will dry out faster (you will need to water more often) but that is good - when you water, water well - let water run through the pot, which pulls air into the root zone and flushes out crud. Then, as it dries, the water is replaced with more air - so the roots get the humid air that they need.

I haven't re potted it yet so not real sure what is in there. but probably will do small to medium bark. All I can see is pretty much all roots.