Just repotted 3 Phal orchids

[adlemsi]

My company was going to throw away a three (separate) Phal. orchid arrangement, because the blooms had fallen and they thought they were dead. I quickly snatched them up and took them home.

Today I separated them, cut the ruined roots since the majority were in bad shape. I treated them with peroxide because the bottom of the crown was a combination of yellow and black, then I sprinkled them with cinnamon to seal the wounds. I repotted each orchid in separate new glazed pots. I used broken pieces of a clay pot at the bottom to allow for better drainage and filled the rest of the pot (the orchid centered) with water-soaked medium orchid bark mix. I placed each freshly potted orchid in shady spots around my apartment, where they can still get good air supply.

I just wanted to make sure I did everything I could to ensure these orchids survive. They were originally potted in a glass container with no drainage holes. The medium used was moss (not sure which kind), but it was packed too tight. The roots of all three orchids were tangled with each other with the moss packed tightly around them. I didn't add fertilizer or anything to promote root growth, even though one of the orchids has only one surviving root, because I wasn't sure if it would be okay.

Any advise, or suggestions on what I should have done different (if I didn't anything wrong) would be greatly appreciated.

[quiltergal]

Sounds like you did a fine job getting them repotted. The only other suggestion I would make is tent a plastic bag over the one with only one root. It will help keep the humidity up and not be so hard on the plant. With only one root expect the plant to lose some leaves.

[adlemsi]

Thanks terri, I will follow your suggestion!

[CodiMN]

You are an orchid's hero! Good for you!
Do you have some pics? Let's see how they looking.
Something to help with the "shock" might be good too. Maybe KLN rooting hormone? Depending on how they're doing, having just been extracted from a very tangled home, so they may need patience and food. Keep us posted!

[Singingirl96]

I would do the same... use a rooting hormone to induce roots.
Do your glazed pots have holes on the bottom or sides?

[adlemsi]

Thanks for the compliment Carolyn. I don't have any pics of the before, but I have some pics I took today. The first two pics are of the first orchid, the middle pic is of the second, and the last two are the third orchid. I tried to focus on the areas I was concerned with. The first one has a dark spot towards the middle of one leave and the cut spike started growing white fuzzy stuff (mold?) even though I sealed the wound with ground cinnamon. The second orchid seems to have a hollow spike, is that normal? The third orchid has a yellowing leave, but other than that seems okay. Unfortunately I don't remember which orchid is the one with a single surviving root, so I don't know how to approach the bag tenting suggestion. I really wouldn't want to disturb the plants even more.

[CodiMN]

I would be willing to bet that your second plant there is the one that has just one root. I figure this because the actual axis where the leaves come together looks dehydrated because the lack of nutrients.

On the first plant, does the black spike stay black all the way into the plant? I might be a little concerned about this. I think you're right about the mold on that spike. Maybe a quick snip with a sharp pair of pruning sheers nice and close will help nip that before it has a chance to do any more harm.

The third plant looks to be ok...maybe it's just shedding that leaf.

Of all three tho, I would watch the second one the most. Probably try the tent over the pot idea to create a little micro climate with some rooting hormone.

[adlemsi]

The spike wasn't black all through the plant. Two of them grew from a deep olive color (close to the crown) to a medium green at the tip. The third grew a bit reddish brown. The glazed pot I repotted each orchid in has a hole on the bottom about 1/2" wide.

I'm going to cut the spike with the mold down to the crown. Are there any suggestions on how to treat the mold if it continues to spread? These orchids have been through so much neglect, I don't want them to suffer anymore. They were so beautiful when they were first brought into the office. Unfortunately they were purchased by vain people who didn't bother educating themselves in orchid care. They told the receptionist to water them twice a week, which was completely unnecessary and damaging, since they were potted together (tightly)in moss in a glass vase with no drainage holes and kept in a reception area with no natural light.

[adlemsi]

I agree that the second plant is the weakest. I put a clear bag over it and tied it closed (it has two small holes for ventilation). It lost it's last leave yesterday. I'm hoping to see new growth though.

On the first plant, I treated the mold with peroxide using a q-tip. Then I cut off the remaining part of the spike with pruning shears. It looks much better now.

I'm really looking forward to seeing them all get past the neglect they suffered!

[adlemsi]

It's been a week since I repotted the three orchids I saved from being trashed at my job. I'm really concerned for two of them, but the third seems to have some strength left.

Here are pics of the first orchid...