New to orchids, a few questions

[Ink]

Hello-

This afternoon, my mother gave me a neglected orchid from her office. Always up to the task of rejuvenating plants, I gladly accepted it. I even bought "Orchids for Dummies" to brush up on my orchid how-to. Sadly, the poor thing looks like no one has tended to it for quite some time. No one even remembers what color the flowers were. Being new to orchids, I can't even identify what kind of orchid it is. So I took some pictures of it and am hoping to have a few of my questions answered. First and foremost, the stem looks completely dead. To the touch it feels dry, like a twig. There's no evidence of buds on the stem, either. It has four leaves, which look like the saving grace of the plant. They're dark green and look completely healthy. I've been reading around on how to handle brown stems, most articles say to cut it off, sometimes at the base of the plant near the leaves. Others say to look for "nodes" and cut about an inch above those. I can't identify much on it, so I was hoping someone would help. Also, I've no idea the last time it was re-potted. It seems to be sitting in a mossy substance, not potting soil, and it was dry as a bone when given to me. I watered it promptly. Hoping to save this plant, what should I do next? I'm afraid to do anything drastic like cut the stem off, fearing I'd harm the plant further. Here it is:






Hopefully, a member here can identify it and from there I'll have an easier time asking for advice.

Thank you-

Ink

[greenbean]

Hi Ink! Welcome to the world of orchids, and to Orchid Board. So glad you found us!

I'm certainly not the most experienced person here, but I think I can tell you a few things about your orchid.

It looks like a Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid. I can't tell any more specifically without a name tag or flower picture. The leaves look a little strange, but it sounds like that could be from underwatering, since you said it was bone dry when you got it.

The spike (brown twiggy stem) is completely dead. You can cut that back all the way to the base.

The mossy substance it is growing in is most likely sphagnum moss, a common orchid growing medium.

Phals like bright light, but no direct sun. I would recommend giving it as much light as it can take without the leaves feeling warm. That tells you it has too much light. Let the moss get dry and crunchy on top before watering again. If it is loose and "fluffy", it should be fine, but if it feels very compacted it should probably be repotted.

Hope that answers some of your initial questions. Others on the OB will be happy to answer any more questions you come up with (if they haven't already while I've been typing my response) and have much more experience than I do.

Keep us posted on your progress!

[Ink]

Thank you for the welcome and timely response! I'm glad you were able to identify the plant and dole out some helpful advice. I'll be sure to prune the spike down to the base of the plant. Another question, though, regarding the spike, after it's been pruned down, approximately how long until it begins to regenerate? I'm thrilled the plant isn't dead and look forward to seeing it in full bloom. I'm almost certain the people who cared for it before never re-potted it. I've read that orchids tend to favor something aside from potting soul, like chips. Is there any truth to that and should I consider re-potting it?

Thanks!

[greenbean]

First things first: Do NOT put a phalaenopsis in regular potting soil! They grow in trees as epiphytes in nature, so their roots grow in the little bit of leaf litter or moss that collects around the roots. There are terrestrial orchids that grow on the ground, but even they usually grow in the top layer of fluffy organic matter at the surface.

It is probably a good idea to repot. Most people here repot whenever they get a new orchid, whether they think it needs it or not. You can get more sphagnum moss or you can use fir bark chips, coconut husk chips, or other media. Everyone has their own preferred mixes for their environments, so as you gain experience, you'll learn what works best for you.

The spike looks like it is completely, totally dead. It won't rebloom from that spike, but with proper care and patience it will start growing a new spike. It may take a while, but you'll get there. I rescued a phal much like this one, very underwatered, and it grew another spike a few months after I got it. That one got knocked over and broken by my clumsy brother but it made another spike the next year and bloomed beautifully. Patience is the key.

One more thing, when you water it, let it drain completely. Don't let it sit in a tray of water and don't get water in the center of the leaves. If you do, roll up a thin strip of tissue and wick the water out. Otherwise, you could get crown rot and lose the orchid.

[Judi]

Yes, welcome to the board Ink! For my , I agree the spike is dead and needs to be cut off, I also think it is a good idea to repot. Generally all potting medium decays in a year or two, so it seems the phal is overdue for new medium. Personally I have never had good luck with sphagnum moss and I like the bark mix, but that is strictly a matter of use whatever works for you! Here are two good links for how to repot phals: Orchid Repotting Clinic - Phalaenopsis and Easy Orchids - Re Potting A Phalaenopsis . Also as greenbean said, don't let water pool in the center of the phal, and it is a good idea to wipe the water off the leaves especially before evening. Hope this helps, and !

[beanluc]

Hi, Ink, welcome!

Since the plant is so dry now, a bucket soak might plump up those pleated leaves. The plant will drink up water and store it if given the chance. This is good because it means you can let the roots dry between waterings, avoiding root rot, yet the plant still has some stored water to use.

Fill a bucket deep enough to come up to about the surface of the potting medium, and immerse the pot in it. Be careful not to allow the water to be higher than where the leaves join the stem, because if water gets into the leaf crotches or the "crown" then crown rot could happen.

Anyway, leave the plant in the bucket for 15-30 minutes, and by a few hours later, you should see the leaves visibly plump up. If they still look the next day like they could still take some more (still wilty or wrinkly) then you can do it again. I wouldn't do it more than twice though. After this you can water normally.

Good luck,
BL