Newly bought Just Add Ice Orchid, is it sick?

[christinalkc]

Hi...

My husband bought me a pot of Just Add Ice Phal tonight and as I removed the plastic and examined the orchid, I realized a couple of the leaves were sticky and had some black spots on the bottom. And the roots weren't too pretty. I have some pics which I took a few minutes ago and do you think that this a sicky phal and I should return it ?

Thanks in advance for your input!!

Cheers..

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

From what I see, it has a relatively good root system.

The roots sticking up in the air are dehydrated. Part of those roots may not be alive. But some portions of it may still be. You have to check what's alive and what's dead.

Once you've done that, clean it up.

Another thing I've got to mention that you may or may not know, is that the plant is planted too deep into the pot.

The leaves look fine.

I'd repot into a slightly larger clear plastic pot with bark.

If you've been searching around the OB for tips about Phalaenopsis culture, I'm sure you don't need me to write another novel.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If the leaves are sticky, it may be sap.

Wet roots make them more pliable.

Oh...

Please don't use ice for watering.

[flhiker]

Hi, it looks like it has been sitting in water to long. I would re-pot it with a proper orchid pot. The one with many slits or holes around the base. Cut any roots are mushy and dead, and use a course orchid bark mix. The leaves look in good shape and it should recover nicely. good luck

[Sandy4453]

That's a very healthy looking Phal and a very sweet hubby you've got.

Don't return it. Just make sure that the pot inside the decorative one, has the holes on the bottom for draining. If it doesn't, then further instructions to follow. Make sure you don't over water it. The sphagnum your plant is in, stays wetter longer than other growing mediums and if I'm correct in assuming you're living in the northern hemisphere, the temps are cooler now so drying is slower, usually 7-10 days, depending on the size of the pot. Give it a week and then check to make sure it's almost dry. If it's still wet, wait a little longer. Another suggestion but not really terribly important would be, a larger outer pot to let the plant 'breathe' better.

Other than that, it's a definite keeper. Enjoy!!!

Edit: upon looking at it again, that looks like bark, not sphagnum. Watering once a week is safe!

[christinalkc]

Thank you so much for all the fast and great replies! I have read about the ice and no way I am going to kill my new baby doing that.

I am in Charlotte, NC and I will be keeping my baby on my kitchen's countertop since it's a little too cold for outside. I am not sure how will the heating and dry air in my apartment going to affect it.

I have not looked inside yet. I am still trying to figure out to pull the inside pot out without trying to hurt the roots. It's planted in coarse bark/charcoal.

Now my concern is really the black sticky spots on the bottom. I have read somewhere that it could also meant insect infestation or something. I was trying to find some crawlies and found one miserable spider like little creature but can't see anymore deep into the leaves... More pictures on the black sticky sappy spots...

Thanks y'all...

Cheers

P/S: Yeah... hubby is the best and I killed the first orchid he bought me!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Since the roots are very wet. If the pot is plastic, just gently squeeze the pot, going around the circumference of it and any roots that's stuck on the inside surface should slowly pop loose.

Do this several times.

[christinalkc]

OMG, I managed to pull out the clear plastic pot inside and there was half a pot of water sitting inside the decorative pot. Some of the roots grew through the holes underneath the clear plastic pot and rotted of course. I cut them all off, including the dry roots on the surface. I did as you suggested, squeezing the clear plastic pot a few times. The roots inside look pretty green and nice. The clear plastic pot isn't that deep, just the decorative pot is. I put a few rocks inside the decorative rock so the clear plastic pot can sit on them and let whatever excess water drain. I hope the black spots will disappear.... Do you think I should change the potting medium or leave it as it is.

I will have more pictures tomorrow...

Cheers.. and thanks so much.

[johnblagg]

I just got one of this bunch of just add ice orchids a week or so ago myself....the outer pot has no drain hole and may be full of water all the way to the top.
You will find a smaller clear pot is what the orchid is actually planted in and you should carefully pry it lose ...ITs very tightly placed in the bigger pot...but remove it amd empty the decorative heavy pink pot of water it will hold so much water it will drown your plant if you do not empty it after watering.

OOPs just read to the end and see you discovered this sorry.

If the roots in the smaller pot look good you can waut a while untill it has finished blooming...Mine had really great roots.

[harrywitmore]

Originally Posted by johnblagg

I just got one of this bunch of just add ice orchids a week or so ago myself....the outer pot has no drain hole and may be full of water all the way to the top.
You will find a smaller clear pot is what the orchid is actually planted in and you should carefully pry it lose ...ITs very tightly placed in the bigger pot...but remove it amd empty the decorative heavy pink pot of water it will hold so much water it will drown your plant if you do not empty it after watering.

OOPs just read to the end and see you discovered this sorry.

If the roots in the smaller pot look good you can waut a while untill it has finished blooming...Mine had really great roots.

I have 2 of these we are using as something to brighten up the sun room. I have had one since November in flower and it is doing great. I live only about 45 minutes from you. Mine are in low humidity in the house and are doing great. As soon as I bought them I removed the outer pot and each was planted in a clear orchid pot in bark. I water mine maybe once a week. Under watering it is not as big a problem as keeping it too wet. Unlike the ones that come potted in sphagnum, these appear to be well grown and healthy. That is if you get them before the big box has the chance to kill them.

Not sure what the sticky black spots are. This plant could have been near an scale infested plant or even this one could have been and the spots are honeydew and the black is the mold growing on it. Mine do not have them. I would take some alcohol and remove them.

I would wait to re-pot it if you want to enjoy the flowers first. As wet as yours looks I would let it get completely dry before watering again. The roots in the clear pot should be visible and I would not water until they appear white or gray, not green.