husband dropped Phalaenopsis orchid into hot soapy water

[Niki]

So, you're all going to love this.

I just got my Phalaenopsis orchid to bloom, and our shower broke (I keep my orchids in the bathroom so that stay nice and humid). So, we were stuck having to take baths and my husband hit the orchid and it fell into hot and soapy water.

Obviously, soap is non-ideal for the orchid. We flushed the orchid many, many, many times with clear water in the hopes of getting the soap out. However, each day that goes by since the incident, the blooms look worse and worse (they're droppy and look like they're starting to wilt and I know it's not time for it to dye, and it's still shooting out new buds for blooming, plus my last bloom lasted 4 months and this one hasn't been in bloom even a month yet).

Any suggestions? I'm hoping that I lose the blooms at the worst, and that the the soap doesn't kill the plant. Really hoping that I don't lose the plant.

Niki

[jkofferdahl]

I doubt seriously that the plant itself is in peril. You may lose some flowers, both from the shock of the drop and also the hot water, but the plant itself should recover fine.

[cb977]

I'd say you're gonna lose the blooms but the plant should be fine. Keep us updated and good luck

[Phyrex]

I agree. It's probably the shock of the hot water and soap to the plant that causes it to discard the flowers. The plant itself should have no problem at all, it's just the blooms that will go.

[katierkincaid]

My co worker splashed mineral spirits onto a phal I had, GONE LIKE THE WIND. Let me tell you it turned yellow no matter what i did, finally just trashed it

[Niki]

well, I'll hope that hot soapy water isn't like mineral spirits!

Honestly, of the two orchids he could have knocked, I'm happy he got the one he did. Both are on their second bloom and the one that was knocked out has what I call mutant blooms (while the other one has gorgeous, pristine flowers). A couple blooms on the "mutant" one are like siamese twins...two flowers attached at the back, with one looking normal (but kind of floppy) and the other missing the pretty interior (it looks really messed up). There are 7 blooms on it, but none of them look are nice as the first. (The interior color is dull and muted as compared to the first bloom). As soon as the blooms fall off/dry out and it's finished, I plan to cut the stem back to the base and let it regrow. I'm relieved to hear it likely won't die!

I will keep you all posted as to how it holds up. Now, if I can just get my new Odontocidium Tiger Crow 'Golden Girl' down. I've never dealt with psuedo bulbs or with how they grow, and I'm not used to how much more water this guy needs. I knew it would be harder, but just couldn't pass it up since the flowers are so beautiful. Hopefully it grows well!

Niki

[vickyth]

It's likely the shock from the hot water that's zapping buds. I can't see soap doing it, after all, some mild insecticides are basically soap.

Hey, if my phal can handle being victimized by a (luckily well-loved) dog who thought it was some plain old garden dandelion to dismantle (true) your plant should be able to make it through the Tub Trauma.

Best of luck with it! Could you post pictures of those mutants?

Cheers!
Vicky

[Niki]

Here are the pictures of the mutant blooms that were requested.

[CoolPhrog]

How COMPLETELY bizzare....

[Dorothy]

It's lipless!

I love mutant bloomage