Advice needed please

[LadyWraith]

First of all, I'm new around here. I've been stalking around here for the last few days doing research for my poor sick orchid and I'm wanting some experienced opinions. A little history; I've had my plant since July 2010. It was bought at a home improvement store and is a NoID Phalaenopsis. I've basically just followed the directions on the card since then instead of doing the research I should have It seemed pretty healthy when I first got it but about 3 months later (around October) the flowers started to wilt and fall off. I didn't think much of it because flowers do that. ::shrug:: A couple weeks later, one by one, the leaves started turning yellow and falling off. There are currently (barely) 3 leaves left on it. One of them will probably be falling off soon since it is completely yellow now. After reading many posts on here, I took action and picked up some of the bark/charcoal substrates and fertilizer. When I pulled apart all the moss it as originally potted in, I discovered all but about 3 roots were dead. There IS one new little root that has started growing. There are pictures attached and I'm curious to know if it is root rot? Anyway, I cut away the dead roots and repotted it and watered it since it was time to do so. Unfortunately, it looks like one of the other leaves is going to start the yellowing now. Is there anything else I can do or is it too late? I have another orchid (a mini I fell in love with while I was out picking up the supplies for the other lol) and I am turning the area by the south facing window in my bedroom into my orchid space. I'm going to pick up some supplies such as a humidity monitor and repot the new one. I think I have an overwatering problem. Can a humidifier be used near them to increase the moisture in the air? I haven't seen anyone mention using one. Thanks in advance for any advice and sorry for such a long post!

[Eyebabe]

I personally do not derive any satisfaction trying to save orchids once they get in this condition....probably because I've rarely been successful

I'd start over with a fresh pretty plant that is healthy to begin with

[BobInBonita]

Welcome aboard. The fact that you've been "lurking" is obvious in a very good way! The pictures, the progression in your photos, the phrasing of your questions, and the detail in your post all testify to the fact that you've not only been reading but learning.

You've done a nice job of cleaning up the roots, and in answer to your question, yes - that was root rot.

As I'm sure you realized as you dug into it, the plant lost a lot of root surface. The good news is that it does have some roots and there are some signs of active growth buds on the roots that remain.

I understand Eyebabes, feelings, but always try to save these. Living in SW Florida I inherit several a year when residents go back North. It is a great opportunity to learn a lot about culture and growth habits. If you succeed, you will have learned many lessons that you wouldn't learn from maintaining a healthy plant. If you're not successful, you know you tried, and have some idea how to do things differently next time you encounter root rot. Everyone I know, even though we profess to know better, has an occasional issue with rot.

Sounds like you chose an appropriate medium for the plant, and it looks like you let the cut tips dry before planting. The tough thing now is watering enough to supply the plant without keeping it too wet and inducing more rot. You can do a couple of things to help - water lightly, but more often OR increase the humidity around the plant by putting it in a plastic bag (to slow evaporation). If the roots are actually starting to grow already you slow its metabolism a little while it recovers by reducing the light for a while. If the roots have not started to grow, you are in a more difficult position - you want to keep it hanging on without disease until it hits a growth spurt.

You can also try a little root stimulator - I use Super Thrive others use KLN.

[prc11]

I would try the bag and sphag technique discussed in previous posts.

[RosieC]

I would try and save it as well. I never throw away a plant until it's 100% dead.

I would only use the sphag-n-bag technique prc11 mentions if there were no roots left. It's a good way to get new roots started, but if you have some I don't think it's necessary.

I would pot in as small a pot as possible, water with luke warm water and hope for the best. (Luke warm water can help promote new root growth).

The leaf dropping is sort of normal after root loss, you have to hope it can support the remaining leaves with the roots it has until more roots get growing.

[pedidiva]

I would try to save it, too. I learn that way & when the orchid survives, I feel good about it. Keep us posted.
Pedi

[Daethen]

Sounds like you are getting good advice. I don't mind sphag moss, but it can't be packed in really tight. I keep my mini phals in sphag with no problems. However, if you plan to do this, unpot your new mini after watering and pull out about half of the moss that is in the pot, especially from the center of the root ball. Enough to keep it sitting up is enough. Your other orchid is in for a long uphill battle, but that does not mean it will not make it. You have done all the steps right, now time will tell. Good luck.

[LadyWraith]

Thank you soo much everyone! These little tips are exactly what I was looking for. BobInBonita, I usually try to do some pretty thorough research on any topic when I take on something new, I just wish I'd done it sooner. My poor plant wouldn't be in this condition if I had. As for the bag over the plant to help with the humidity, how exactly do you do that? It's kind of a stupid question but I'm just not sure how to go about it. I'm hoping it lives but like all of you have said, if it doesn't, I at least learned something out of it and can utilize what I learn on other plants.

[prc11]

What I do is take a larger ziplock bag and take a ball of wet sphag moss (not too wet). Then I place the plant on the other side of the bag. Make sure the two are not touching because of rot and watch it for A while, make sure you don't let it produce mold and in a few weeks, the plant will hopefully produce some roots.

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome to the OB.
In regards to placing the bag over the plant, it's like a humidity tent. I use large zip lock bags and just place it over the potted plant. The bag retains some moisture but there is still a bit of air circulation coming up under the bag. Good luck.
Joann