Walmart Rescue - Orchid Board

new_orchid_rescuer · #1 08-08-2007, 03:41 PM

Hello everyone!
I just wanted to share that I rescued another phal, this time from Walmart. (only $5!) The spike was completely dead so I cut it off. I also have no idea what colour the flowers should be, so that will be exciting when it blooms (if it survives!

) I cut off the rotten roots and put cinnamon on where it was cut. I also put cinnamon on the cut spike. The last picture is a close up of where the roots originate. Do you think the rot has gone up into the plant and is fatal?
Here are some pics

shakkai · #2 08-08-2007, 04:09 PM

Looks like you did a good job to me! You may have to mist the roots more regularly than usual until it replaces some of its roots.

The purple edge on the underside of the leaves, I believe, makes it likely that the flowers are pink.

Candice · #3 08-08-2007, 04:16 PM

So i am guessing you go into Walmart and just go straight to the garden section just looking for orchids and secretly hoping they are in desparate need of being rescued and hope that they have been slashed in price because of no buds or flowers? Am I right?
If this is so.....how ironic! I DO THE SAME THING!!!!!

If you don't do this well I guess I am wondering if I am the only "sick one"????!!!!!!????

Great save though! Looks like it has nice healthy leaves!

cb977 · #4 08-08-2007, 04:23 PM

Looks like you've done another great job!

ehuber · #5 08-08-2007, 05:24 PM

Good for you for rescuing that phal. I plucked a "mystery oncidium" off the buy-me-or-I'll-die table at walmart the other day. I am excited to see what color the flowers will be if I don't kill it. It is also good to know about sprinkling the cinnamon on after you cut stuff off...I did not know that so I'll do it in the future.

Question though: if the plant doesn't look like it needs to be repotted, should I just leave well enough alone? Besides looking underwatered (super wrinkly pseudo-bulbs and a little pleating in the leaves) it looks generally okay. The leaves are very long and floppy.

ehuber · #6 08-08-2007, 05:25 PM

PS - I think Lowe's sometimes also has some orchids that need to be rescued if anyone needs to indulge their nurturing side.

dave b · #7 08-08-2007, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehuber

Good for you for rescuing that phal. I plucked a "mystery oncidium" off the buy-me-or-I'll-die table at walmart the other day. I am excited to see what color the flowers will be if I don't kill it. It is also good to know about sprinkling the cinnamon on after you cut stuff off...I did not know that so I'll do it in the future.

Question though: if the plant doesn't look like it needs to be repotted, should I just leave well enough alone? Besides looking underwatered (super wrinkly pseudo-bulbs and a little pleating in the leaves) it looks generally okay. The leaves are very long and floppy.

Depends on what its potted in and the condition of the media. many of these type orchids come packed in a ton o sphagnum moss. Those definately need repotted. Im the type that always checks the condition of the media and the roots on salvage orchids. 9 times out of 10, the media isint that great, and all the roots are dead. Thus, the shriveled pseudobulbs and pleated leaves. Given time, new growths will emerge, giving way to new roots as well.

new_orchid_rescuer · #8 08-08-2007, 10:25 PM

Candice, that's awesome!! LOL! I went into Walmart and convinced the salesperson that it was about to die, the he just said $5! LOL!! In fact I think it was a new shipment, it looked like they had just stocked the shelves, but I do feel bad for any unsuspecting-good-intentioned bystandard who tries to by any of those orchids... after he said $5, I wanted to go and buy the whole lot!
I don't think we have a Lowes around here (Ottawa) If I'm wrong, someone tell me where one is, because I've heard of alot of dying orchids being saved from there!!

new_orchid_rescuer · #9 08-08-2007, 10:29 PM

ehuber, not being particularily experienced, I would repot the "buy-me-or-I'll-die" orchids, just because you don't actually know what's going on undeneith. If you look at the first picture of the one I got today, it actually doesn't look all that bad... you take away all the potting medium, and it's horrible... you may not know that there is root rot unless you repot. You're also starting fresh with new medium, which I don't think can hurt in the long run.

ehuber · #10 08-09-2007, 09:15 AM

You know, good call. I think I will repot my walmart orchid today. I have a couple of others that I picked up from the sale table at a local gardening center. Just repotted the one, and the roots were a MESS. So, I will make sure to repot the other one I got there as well. Thanks for the advice!