Help! Went out of town and 'chid sitter messed up!

[peeper]

Hello, I have a problem! I went out of town for 2 months, and left my 'chids to be taken care of by a friend. When I came home I found all but 5 of my plants out in the Texas heat and unwatered for what looks like weeks. They are all burnt in some way, some, like my ten dragons, is limp and falling over. she said that she put them out one day when it was raining, and thought it would be ok to leave them out in the shade. However, she forgot about them and didn't water them.

I have watered them all and moved them to my very shaded front porch, as I don't know if it's ok to move them back into home temps after being outside right away. I'm just heart-broken, and I don't know what to do.

Please Help...

~Krys

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What kinds of orchids are they?

[peeper]

Phals, paphs, a catasetum (ten dragons) and a NOID

[Kelo]

Personally I would be VERY angry and let them know about it. That's just me.

I would give them an hour to soak and get them out of the heat right away to cooler but not cold conditions and keep an eye on them and see what happens over the next week or so.

[peeper]

I have let them soak, and this morning they are in a shaded area on my front porch, but is it ok to just bring them into home temps? I don't want to shock them anymore than they are.

[peeper]

Ok, so I've taken pictures of them all this morning. I don't really understand how this happened, and how 5 of my orchids managed to stay inside and just not get watered.... they are in MUCH better condition than those that were left outside...

Here they are...

[peeper]

and More...

[peeper]

And more... This is making me cry...











I'm just truely heartbroken... I really had just gotten into these plants, and I don't want to lose them all. Any help, is appreciated. I want to bring them inside, but DO NOT want to stress them more. They are in a very shaded spot on my front porch, and it isn't terribly hot here yet (i'm in San Antonio, Tx.) they have all been watered well last night. I don't know what else to do....
My Ten Dragons was in spike when I left and went out of town, it was the first time it had spiked for me. when I came home, it had a dried up, yellow spike and still had dried to a crisp flowers hanging from it... I never even got a picture.

[calypsoB]

Well I am no expert but the roots don't look too bad and over all, though they are in desperate need of water, I think they will probably recover. If it were me I would make sure they had some good humidity for a bit. It is always so sad when trusted people "forget" to really look after the plants and animals when you are away. Good luck!
PS Did you give them a good soak?

[peeper]

I did soak them well last night when I got home. It's very humid out there, and no direct light.

I hope you're right... I noticed that the roots didn't look TOO terrible on most of them.