Need emergency media - Orchid Board

berlyqkim · #1 02-28-2010, 10:56 PM

OK, so I got my first orchid and over watered. After three days of this, naturally my orchid blooms started to fall off and it looked pitiful. I did some quick reading on the web (wish I had done that three days ago!) and took it out of the pot and carefully removed all the drenched moss from around the roots. It's a good thing I did or mold would have set in for sure. Right now I have the roots exposed sitting on a bed of gravel with a small bit of water in an open pot. I tried to dry out the moss but no luck. I can't get out tonight to get anything else. What can I use temporarily to save my poor naked orchid??

quiltergal · #2 02-28-2010, 11:34 PM

Put it in a plastic pot with no media and mist the heck out of the roots. It will be fine for a day or two without media. Just remember to mist it daily.

Cym Ladye · #3 03-01-2010, 01:28 PM

For the future, a damp paper towel would work too.

CL

harrywitmore · #4 03-01-2010, 01:36 PM

What type of orchid is it?

nibbler · #5 03-01-2010, 03:40 PM

I have had to "save" two Phals after I notices a rather attractive blue/green mould growing on the media. Unfortunately I can not get my hands on good quality mix in Ireland. 2 hour round trip later I had Hyrdaton unfortunately it takes about 4 days to prepare. Got a glass of water and sat the Phals in the water for about 2 minutes each night. Once the the roots were green I poured it out. dried leaves etc and left the glass damp. Every morning I misted it. They survived the 5 days like that and are doing very well in Semi Hydro. Its just a suggestion but I got the idea from reading about hanging Vandas and watering the same way. Be careful of getting water in the crown.

berlyqkim · #6 03-02-2010, 02:10 AM

I left it alone with the roots exposed and just misted it. Looked ok. This morning I took some of the now just damp moss and loosely surrounded the roots. Tonight the roots are only slightly green, more yellow, and the last blooms fell off. I will try removing the moss and just misting or the paper towel. I clearly need to get to the nursery and get some good food for it too. Also, I have been using tap water and that probably isn't good either. Will try pure water and see if that helps. Thank you all for your help!

SOS · #7 03-02-2010, 02:29 AM

Next time, increase your air circulation dramatically to help dry things out.

berlyqkim · #8 09-12-2010, 04:22 PM

Just a follow-up to this posting. The orchid made it, bloomed again off a second shoot and just finally lost those blooms. It turned into a gorgeous plant. Thank you all for helping me that day! Hard to beleive that I am now growing orchids on a regular basis!

Thank you Orchid Board.