the best way to dry out a too wet plant?

[RJSquirrel]

We all get them from time to time at our local Home Depot or Lowe's. We know they water everything globally disregarding any requirements.

my quest is whats the best way to dry out the roots on
one of these?

sounds dumb but I am a noob

I didn't realize these plants from sources other than REAL orchid houses are really not in that good a shape to begin with when you buy them. I got some really nice plants to grade them all by and I see now whats going on here

thanks in advance and I'm slow learning but I don't forget

[grasshopper]

Typcially, I repot them immediately, removing as many of the rotted or sketchy-looking roots as possible. I repot in fir bark, place the plant in a spot that gets pretty good airflow and leave it be for a few days. (I am a noob myself, and currently fir bark is my medium of choice.) I don't think there's a general time frame for letting an orchid dry out, but I just watch the plants and see how they're doing. I've read on this board to stick a bamboo skewer into the potting medium (close to the center of the pot, but be careful not to damage the roots), leave it for a few minutes and then check it for dampness/moisture. If it's damp, don't water...if it's dry, water.

Hope this helps, and I'm sure someone with more growing experience will chime in with advice!

[RosieC]

I would agree. The best way is to repot. You then have complete control of the medium and how wet it is, and you can remove any already rotting roots in teh process.

[Tindomul]

Yep, but I would watch out for anything that is really wet, and let it dry a bit. Keeping it humid is not so bad, just need to keep it from being soaking wet. Best if kept slightly humid around the roots.

[RosieC]

I have sometimes taken a really wet one and left it unpotted for 24 hours so the roots have had chance to breath before putting back in new (drier) medium.

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I have sometimes taken a really wet one and left it unpotted for 24 hours so the roots have had chance to breath before putting back in new (drier) medium.

I do that too!

[peeweelovesbooks]

Repot immediately.

[jeffg]

I agree - repot. I get seduced into an occasional box store Phal now and again, and find they benefit from immediate repotting. I've noticed from my "RIP list" that most of my deceased Phals came from these places, so I have learned temperance. Despite the repotting, many get rot from too much water for too long.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Originally Posted by jeffg

I agree - repot. I get seduced into an occasional box store Phal now and again, and find they benefit from immediate repotting. I've noticed from my "RIP list" that most of my deceased Phals came from these places, so I have learned temperance. Despite the repotting, many get rot from too much water for too long.

Yup. This is one of the reasons that I no longer buy orchids from big box stores--regardless of how pretty they are. I'm never sure just how much abuse they've endured. I'm going to end up spending a lot of money and time on the plant, and I'd rather invest it in a healthier specimen to increase my odds of success.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

I do that too!

Me too! Sometimes even longer than 24 hours.