Is my Orchid dead? - Orchid Board

bubba · #1 03-31-2011, 12:06 PM

I am trying to resurrect my orchid. I have just cut off all the crispy brown stems that were obviously dead and the only real sign of life in the plant is this on green shoot/leaf and a couple of small other ones. Is this a sign of life? how should I proceed? I have attached a couple of images. V.new to this.

Jennyfleur · #2 03-31-2011, 12:14 PM

Hi and welcome to the board

and any sign of green is usually a good thing. But, do you know what kind of orchid it is? I can't really tell from the pictures and it'll be easier for us all to advise if we had an idea

bubba · #3 03-31-2011, 12:37 PM

Sorry I have no idea.. at one stage it 4-5 stems which I had to cut out

silken · #4 03-31-2011, 02:12 PM

Well, there is life there! A closer up photo might help identify it but it could be an oncidium of some sort. It's hard to tell, but does the pot have drainage or is it sitting in an enclosed pot? If so, it would get root rot.
It would be easier to tell how to proceed next after a bit closer view of it.

bubba · #5 03-31-2011, 03:00 PM

Thanks.
Here is a closer look. The pot does have a hole in it but I think the plant got pretty dried out when we were away for a while...

bdublyou · #6 03-31-2011, 04:19 PM

Looks like a cymbidium to me...I don't have much experience with these, but it looks like you have one or two new pseudobulbs trying to get established. If it was mine I would unpot it and check out those roots. If they are hollow, black or mushy you have lost roots for one reason or another. I would wait to get more input from others with more experience with these, but I may remove all but the three pseudobulbs closest to the new growths, trim all ugly, non-funtioning roots, and repot in fresh medium. I would also not house it in that catchment pot thus allowing free drainage.

silken · #7 03-31-2011, 04:26 PM

That looks like a cymbidium. I didn't notice the big tall leaf at first. I would un-pot it and remove all the dead pseudobulbs. There are too many dead or old ones in between the bits of life. Then when you have the green parts left, clean up the roots, inspect them for dead or rotten ones, which should be removed. You may want to soak them for an hour in some water with superthrive or K-L-N rooting orhome if you have it. Then re-pot it into a small pot that will only hold the roots and just a wee bit of space for new growth. It likely needs a med to fine bark, or CHC mix or similar. Cynbidiums don't like to totally dry out or not for long. good luck with it. They are pretty hardy and there is some green life there.

silken · #8 03-31-2011, 04:28 PM

I agree bdublyou. I must have been posting at the same time as you. A well draining pot not sitting in water for sure.

dounoharm · #9 03-31-2011, 04:29 PM

ditto dublyou.....it is a cymbidium, it is horribly dessicated and may or may not survive....depending on where you live i would chunk it out under a tree or somewhere and let nature handle it....providing all chance of freezing is over.....with reasonable constant moisture, it may resuscatate, as it appears to be struggling to make new growth....thats the best advise i have....gl