Rescue Mission

[yaffle]

Hi Everyone,

I've been given a couple of Orchid by my Grandma as she can't work out how to look after them and they're looking really unhealthy.

Here are a few pictures:

Phal Mini Mark:






A Mystery Orchid:






What should I do to rescue them?

What is the mystery Orchid?

Could anyone recommend some easy orchids for my grandma as she really loves them but can't seem to keep them growing.

Many Thanks,

yaffle

[BikerDoc5968]

The first one appears to be a Phalaenopsis and is very easy to grow even for your grandmother. This plant desperately needs to be repotted. I like bark but many like sphag moss. The back can be purchased at a garden centre as a pre-mixed material. Just look for "Orchid Mix" As for the other orchid, it appears to be a member of the Oncidium Alliance and should probably be repotted also. You can read about repotting in almost any book on orchids. I've included a pic of some bark mixes I've used. I like the one on the left the best because it has coconut husk chips in it which most don't have and this helps hold moisture. Unless you have lots of warmth and humidity, I'd stay away from Vandas for now.

[Royal]

Originally Posted by BikerDoc5968

I like the one on the left the best because it has coconut husk chips in it which most don't have and this helps hold moisture.

Hey Doc, You mean on the right, right?

Yaffle, The first post is correct. First one is a Phal and the second is an Oncidium. They both look like they need repotting. Both of these types of orchids are recommended for the beginner and should do well given good growing conditions. You really need to get a book (or just hang out here for an hour a day).

My guess is that they have both been kept too wet. Many beginners assume that orchids need to stay wet all the time. This is not the case (for most). In nature, the roots get lots of air movement around the roots - it's just humid air. To compensate for this, we put them in pots with the chunky bark which allows air to the roots. The pot is really for our convenience, not the plants'.

Take the first bit of advice you got from BikerDoc and repot them. The stuff they are in now is most likely broken down almost into soil by now. That's probably why the Phal roots are all towards the top of the pot.

[BikerDoc5968]

Sorry, had a brain cramp...big time...yes on the right. And for a good book on orchids, my vote is for this book. It is about $20.00 and is a very nice basic reference book to get you off on the right...or left foot!!

[cloudswinger]

That Ortho orchid book can be found at Books A Million for $6.00, or online for cheaper than 20.

[Becky15349]

Ditto to what bikerdoc and royal said above - the phal and the oncid that you already have will be the easiest orchids to grow, so at least you're good there. Get those plants repotted asap, and once they are repotted keep them in a shaded spot for about 5 days so they can recooperate from the repotting, which is somewhat stressful for them (but necessary!!) After that, the phal and the oncid can take bright indirect light or morning sun only...no direct afternoon sun, that will cook their leaves. Keep humidity as high as you can (50%-70 % is good) and in a few weeks you should see new root growth and/or perhaps new growth. Keep watering to a minimum - perhaps only 1x a week. Like they mentioned above, people tend to overwater their orchids, and this is the #1 reason beginners tend to kill their orchids and become frustrated - but don't despair!! With a little love, patience and following the directions above, they will thrive for you good luck!

[BikerDoc5968]

I was only quoting the price in the book flap...

[yaffle]

Thanks Everyone,

I've grown Phals for quite a few years myself but was unsure how to go about rescuing this one! Me and my Grandma each got a Phal Mini Mark at the same time and mine is now growing and blooming:



I'll try and put up a full plant shot as its growing so many new roots and all the old roots are starting to grow again. Its amazing to see how fast they do grow!

As a bit of an experiment I've mounted the rescued one a piece of wood as I've quite fancied trying to grow a mounted orchid for a while.

BikerDoc - I've already got a vanda and its doing really well, it gets a lot of TLC and its pretty warm inside at the moment (Its going into the kitchen with the AGA in the winter so it doesn't get cold) and as its growing in a vase, the roots stay pretty humid and I mist it everday anyway.



I'm official obsessed with Orchids! lol

[BikerDoc5968]

That is a beautiful Vanda....didn't mean to step on your toes....BTW, where in the UK are you located? From the pic you don't look like you're in "The City"

[Jadeco]

Beautiful flowers, yaffle!