Inherited dying orchid from ex-roommate

[Allsunday]

I recently inherited a dying orchid from a roommate who moved out. She was given the orchid as a gift and proceeded to accidentally kill it, as she tended to kill every plant she ever touched. The bloom withered, the stem went brown, and the bulbs began to shrivel. She left it behind when she packed up and left, leaving it in my care.

Now, I don't know the first thing about caring for orchids, but I think they're beautiful and I'd like to bring this one back to life. I don't know what species it is, but I did water it this morning and let it drain thoroughly before setting it in the sunlight.

Should I re-pot it? Should I cut off the dead stem? How much sunlight should I give it? I'm at a bit of a loss here, so any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

[orchidbingo]

Hi. welcome to OB.

Your orchid looks like it belongs to the oncidium alliance. The pseudobulbs of this type of orchid generally look shriveled like that and the leaves don't look pleated so I don't think it lacks water.
What sort of medium is it potted in? It could be overwatered?


Did you see the flowers. What were they like? The spike looks really tall and airy so it could have Oncidium Sharry Baby which is very popular. Were they small flowers, maroon with pinkish white lip and very fragrant.

I don't know that much about this type of orchid but I'm sure someone who knows more about oncidiums will chime in.

orchidbingo

[WhiteRabbit]

It looks like you have some sort of oncidium - couldn't say which
It may need a good soak if its been really dry. Just soak it in the sink - or a tub - water to just below the top of the media level. Soak for at least 30 minutes. Pseudo-bulbs may not plump back up, thats ok.

Probably wouldn't hurt to repot it. A fine bark orchid mix should be good. Or make your own mix with fine bark (not too fine - I have some thats way fine and almost killed on oncidium in it) maybe some perlite and a bit of hort. charcoal. If you can only find the really fine bark - add a lot of perllite - may be ok that way. I have been growing mine in fine coconut husk chips - but probably can't find that in a local store - I have to buy online.

Some oncidiums like to get dry inbetween watering - some not so much - so hard to say there without knowing what type it is - I would suggest to not let it dry completely in between waterings. Sticking a bamboo skewer in the pot helps to determine how much moisture is in the pot - if you stay with the clay pot try to have the skewer as near to the center of the pot as you can.
When I grow mine inside - most are in a west facing window. East should work just as well - maybe even a south window - not sure - I am sure others will chime in with advice

good luck and
let us know how it goes

[Allsunday]

Originally Posted by orchidbingo

What sort of medium is it potted in? It could be overwatered?

It's still potted in the stuff it came in, which looks like bark. I suppose it's possible it was overwatered, but I'm not sure how to tell.

Did you see the flowers. What were they like?

Sadly, I can't recall exactly what the flowers looked like. If I were to take a stab in the dark, I would say they may have been white, with some pink in them. I believe they had roundish petals.

Thanks for the welcome!

[Allsunday]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

It may need a good soak if its been really dry. Just soak it in the sink - or a tub - water to just below the top of the media level. Soak for at least 30 minutes. Pseudo-bulbs may not plump back up, thats ok.

It seemed quite dry to me, but I have no idea how the ex-roommate was treating it. It's hard to tell if it was overwatered or underwatered!

Probably wouldn't hurt to repot it. A fine bark orchid mix should be good.

You're right, I doubt it would hurt, and at the least it seems like a fresh start. I think I'll do that.

Some oncidiums like to get dry inbetween watering - some not so much - so hard to say there without knowing what type it is - I would suggest to not let it dry completely in between waterings.

Alright, I'll give that a try until I can figure out what type it is!

When I grow mine inside - most are in a west facing window. East should work just as well - maybe even a south window - not sure - I am sure others will chime in with advice

Great, thanks so much! We have plenty of light in this house, and huge windows to both the south and the west, so neither should be a problem.

I'll be sure to post updates, and thank you for the welcome!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I have reason to believe that the pseudobulbs are shriveled because of root loss. The roots may be have been badly damaged and many if not all were killed off.

The only real way to tell is to remove the plant from the pot and check to see what the roots look like. If the roots are brown/beige/black, soft and mushy when watered, or if you gently pull on the roots and slough off, they're dead.

Living roots are silvery green (more like a shiny white) with green tips. The roots are naturally thin. These produce numerous long, and extensive roots.

[Allsunday]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I have reason to believe that the pseudobulbs are shriveled because of root loss. The roots may be have been badly damaged and many if not all were killed off.

The only real way to tell is to remove the plant from the pot and check to see what the roots look like. If the roots are brown/beige/black, soft and mushy when watered, or if you gently pull on the roots and slough off, they're dead.

Living roots are silvery green (more like a shiny white) with green tips. The roots are naturally thin. These produce numerous long, and extensive roots.

I plan to repot it, so I'll see what the roots look like when I do. If many of the roots are dead, should I simply pull them off and leave the living ones to do their work? Or will pulling on the dead roots damage the plant?

Thanks very much for the info!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Allsunday

I plan to repot it, so I'll see what the roots look like when I do. If many of the roots are dead, should I simply pull them off and leave the living ones to do their work? Or will pulling on the dead roots damage the plant?

Thanks very much for the info!

cut off dead roots

[Doc G]

It looks like the newer growths toward the front in the pictures may be pleated some. I can't tell for sure. But if that is the case then the root loss may be more from underwatering (or letting it dry too long between waterings) than overwatering. Neither is a happy situation but dry roots are better than wet rotting roots.

[Allsunday]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

cut off dead roots

Great, will do.

Originally Posted by Doc G

It looks like the newer growths toward the front in the pictures may be pleated some. I can't tell for sure. But if that is the case then the root loss may be more from underwatering (or letting it dry too long between waterings) than overwatering. Neither is a happy situation but dry roots are better than wet rotting roots.

No, it's definitely not pleated in person, it's nice and smooth. I think that's probably just the lighting from the window. But it's good to know that underwatering is better than overwatering.