Can my orchid be saved? - Page 2 - Orchid Board

VickiC · #11 11-13-2008, 01:51 PM

Hi Royal!
Thanks....I depend a lot on you coming to my aid.

I read your post at a good time because I was planning to work on my catt in a few mins.

So, let me see if I am understanding what you are saying....are you suggesting that there is most likely nothing wrong with my plant....that the yellow leaves are simply part of the cycle of an older catt....or am I totally on the wrong track? (Sorry, I apparently have more blonde hair than I should.....I don't do well with the "smart person thing" lol)

Something else, I have bark soaking now, but I also have sphag soaking, so I can use either to repot. I've had some luck in the past using sphag to root, but I don't use it with my established orchids, as a general rule. BUT....I'm definitely open for suggestions....what would you use if it was your orchid?
Anyway, thanks again for your reply....as always.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

Yes. I wouldn't cut any leaves. They're going to fall soon. I also wouldn't cut off any p-bulbs that are green. Shriveled is ok, but if it's yellow and crispy prune it off. You won't see much root growth from the older parts, but you should see roots coming from that new lead soon. Get it in some bark mix, or whatever you use. Get it nice and snug, keep it on the dry side but humid. I bet you'll do fine.

Oh, and I know how it is with the HD or Lows plants. Keep saving them - it's a good cause.

VickiC · #12 11-13-2008, 02:03 PM

Hiya Joe!
There's nuttin new with wasssssup with me these days. How bout you? Been "swamping" lately? I love your "orchids in the wild" pics.

Another thing, thanks as always for the jokes n stuff....I enjoy everything and I'm sorry I don't have much time to return the favor, but I've been busy lately trying to save orchid lives. lol Lowes is working me to death. lol

By the way, you should see your PhalGal....she only has 1 leaf for now, but that 1 leaf looks VERY healthy, so hopefully she'll produce more. As I've told you before, she really thanks you for saving her life from certain death in the garbage can, BYH. lol

Take care, dude....and I hope your orchid family is well and happy! Keep growing your awesome Vandas, by the way.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamper

Hey Vicky wasssssup. I do see a lot of green leaves there too so although I dont grow them much I think they'll make it. Anyway I hope the catt exxperts come to your aid soon. Good luck. Bless Y. H.

JennS · #13 11-13-2008, 02:35 PM

Vicki,

I agree that it appears to just be normal growth and death for the catt. The older pbulbs will eventually lose their leaves and then will shrivel too. As Royal said, don't cut them off just because they are shriveled. Only cut off ones that are actually brown/dead. Also, the old growths generally don't produce new roots, so any new roots will be coming from those new growths. Also, the black at the base of the new growth looks normal too.

As a potting medium, I use the bark mix from Lowes' that has the charcoal and perlite/sponge rock in it. I mix that with about 1/3 part of spag. If you have both soaking, I say go ahead and mix them together. That way you have a little extra moisture retention without drowning out the plant. Good luck!

VickiC · #14 11-13-2008, 02:51 PM

Hey Joe,
You know I do dental retirement well

, so I felt sure that you knew what I meant when I said "Lowes is working me to death"..... but I decided it wouldn't hurt to clarify it anyway. I meant "working me to death trying to save their orchids"

(

)

C ya
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by VickiC

Hiya Joe!
There's nuttin new with wasssssup with me these days. How bout you? Been "swamping" lately? I love your "orchids in the wild" pics.

Another thing, thanks as always for the jokes n stuff....I enjoy everything and I'm sorry I don't have much time to return the favor, but I've been busy lately trying to save orchid lives. lol Lowes is working me to death. lol

By the way, you should see your PhalGal....she only has 1 leaf for now, but that 1 leaf looks VERY healthy, so hopefully she'll produce more. As I've told you before, she really thanks you for saving her life from certain death in the garbage can, BYH. lol

Take care, dude....and I hope your orchid family is well and happy! Keep growing your awesome Vandas, by the way.
Vicki

VickiC · #15 11-13-2008, 02:57 PM

Thank you so much, Jenn!
Gotcha! I think I am armed and ready now to go tackle the repotting task....so wish me and my catt luck!
Thanks again,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennS

Vicki,

I agree that it appears to just be normal growth and death for the catt. The older pbulbs will eventually lose their leaves and then will shrivel too. As Royal said, don't cut them off just because they are shriveled. Only cut off ones that are actually brown/dead. Also, the old growths generally don't produce new roots, so any new roots will be coming from those new growths. Also, the black at the base of the new growth looks normal too.

As a potting medium, I use the bark mix from Lowes' that has the charcoal and perlite/sponge rock in it. I mix that with about 1/3 part of spag. If you have both soaking, I say go ahead and mix them together. That way you have a little extra moisture retention without drowning out the plant. Good luck!

Royal · #16 11-13-2008, 03:04 PM

I wouldn't say "normal." I think it suffered by staying too wet. I was just saying you did the right thing repotting it, and it looks like it's recovering well. If it were mine, I'd use the bark mix. Sphag doesn't work well for my conditions. If it works for you, by all means use it. But if you normally go with bark for your big 'chids, just use that.

Swamper · #17 11-13-2008, 04:37 PM

Vicky I haven't been swamping lately. Way too much water for me. I like swimming but not with crocs and gators and snakes. The water has been receding so I will probably go next week or the one after at the lates.
I did understand what you meant by working you to death but thanks for calrifying for me anyway just in case I was having a blonde moment.

VickiC · #18 11-14-2008, 05:16 PM

Hi Royal!
Uh Oh...sorry...I guess I used the wrong words...I meant "normal at this time" (after it's near death experience), not "normal for a healthy catt in general". Yes, it was watered too much in the past... I'm sure before I got it and even me afterwards (can you believe it...ME overwatering?! lol) I'm sure now that it wasn't getting enough light on my backporch this summer for a catt plus my overwatering didn't make for a happy plant.

On to the subject of repotting: I've already repotted it. I used a bark mix (BetterGrow) plus a little sphag mixed in....not much. Oh, and by the way...responding to your comment: ...you said "if you normally go with bark for your big 'chids, just use it"...WHAT big 'chids?! lol That's the largest one I have and it's in intensive care.

Thanks for your help, Royal...as always,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

I wouldn't say "normal." I think it suffered by staying too wet. I was just saying you did the right thing repotting it, and it looks like it's recovering well. If it were mine, I'd use the bark mix. Sphag doesn't work well for my conditions. If it works for you, by all means use it. But if you normally go with bark for your big 'chids, just use that.

JennS · #19 11-14-2008, 05:20 PM

Overwatering is an easy thing to do...I know all too well! you should be fine with just the little bit of spag mixed in. I think your catt will recover just fine. After looking at the pics again (the one where you show the whole rhizome) it appears taht there are alot of new growths about to start. Try to just let it do it's thing and don't baby it too much....orchids like a little neglect, no matter what they tell you!

VickiC · #20 11-14-2008, 06:08 PM

Hi Jenn!
Well, I hate it so bad that my catt was overwatered, but I guess "you live, you learn". Anyway, I'm learning a little bit more practically every day as to how to care for orchids...from all of you...thank you.

I hope I'm doing the right thing now: After I repotted it, I placed it in a large plastic box from (where else, but from Lowes lol). One of those big plastic packing type boxes you see in all the big-box stores. It's my new "orchid intensive care unit" (lol)...with the lid partially open...sorta like sphag-n-bag. I hope that will be ok. It's sitting on the floor in my orchid room in a partially shaded area and the humidity is rather high there already.

If you don't mind, please let me know if you think I should do something different.

Thanks again for your help,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennS

Overwatering is an easy thing to do...I know all too well! you should be fine with just the little bit of spag mixed in. I think your catt will recover just fine. After looking at the pics again (the one where you show the whole rhizome) it appears taht there are alot of new growths about to start. Try to just let it do it's thing and don't baby it too much....orchids like a little neglect, no matter what they tell you!