wal-mart orchid quickly dying, water with ice cubes?

[Undergrounder]

I don't think the ice cubes is such a bad idea, in effect its a way of putting in 'just enough' water into sphagnum moss so that it doesn't get too wet. It's like a standard unit of measurement that people can understand for watering moss. Also the water would be cold, sure, but not too cold, by the time its melted it is just cold water after all.

Watering moss under a tap or a hose can often lead to rot unless the sphag is quite hygroscopic to begin with. Again the cubes would let through a trickle of water just enough to re-dampen things, and not get it too wet.

[Melanie]

Hey, this is the OP.

To answer your questions..

-It's potted in bark, the outside pot does not have drain holes but the plastic container it's in does, I ran water through it and let it drain as soon as he gave it to me
-I have not touched it with ice cubes but I'm not sure how it was watered at Wal-Mart
-All of the roots and leaves look very healthy which is why I'm feeling like I can still save this plant
-It isn't in direct sunlight, it's on a table near my windowsill but still, my window faces an alley that gets about two hours of sun

I mean, I get what's wrong but can I fix it?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Melanie

I mean, I get what's wrong but can I fix it?

Of course you can! But first you will have to tell us what type of orchid it is and post some pics! Then the healing can begin!

[cabnc]

From your description you have a healthy phal. The only problem you have was loss of the flowers. Like many houseplants, the phal needs to rest and grow and will produce a new flower spike in time.

Charlie

[Melanie]

Of course

[Bill_NeOh]

This Phal looks nice and healthy to me. As others have stated probably bud blast from being moved. Long wait but it will bloom again next year.

When I read about using ice cubes I was a skeptic but decided to give it a try on a few of my phals to see if it works. It's been a month and so far, so good. Everyone looks happy, no bud blast and no root damage where the ice cubes sit. I'll keep at it for now but not sure if I'll do the ice cube thing long term or just call it a fad.

[phearamedusa]

It doesn't look like its kicking the bucket to me, and I've plenty since getting into this hobby. It does look like bud blast/drop, so long as the spike is green leave it alone. It might produce more flowers. If it dies back, cut it back to just above a node and it might branch, giving you more flowers. Just don't drain the plant, when it starts to look "tired" cut the spike.

Regards,
Melanie (not the OP)

P.S. Don't know about you, but I look around every time some one says my name, even if they aren't actually talking to me. It was not a common name, but seems to have gained popularity recently.

[beelady]

actualy there are drainage holes in its main pot. what it is is a clear pot. that was slipped into a brown or green biodegradable pot.. (so they say) i took mine out of the bio pot and spritzed them well ..one i replanted because it was falling out of the pot to begin with..(it was a verry nice peloric orchid only one there so i grabbed it) got another one that i believe is the same clone but not peloric.. it looks almost like desert sunset. tho not quite sure.. but its pretty.. and i have fun even with the noids..
i believe when they say use ice cubes that its meant for after you repot as it does say put on soil doesnot say anything about putting them on roots..
i dont water with ice cubes.. and i have mine in a west faceing window with a green house shade cloth over it so they get light just not burn them to death sun..(its a huge picture window and it get super hot in there otherwise)

[AboutOrchids]

My Phals don't even like cool water, let alone ice cubes. I can't imagine warm- or even intermediate-growers could tolerate an icy bath. My guess is that it's a Walmart trick to get you to kill that orchid and then buy another.

[Dorothy]

:iagree: