Would love some help, trying to save GF's orchid

[darantares]

Greetings,

Not going to lie, I don't know a whole lot about plants. I'm trying to save my girlfriends orchid. Here's the back story:

I gave this to her in April when her dog of 16 years passed on. We call it the "Allie plant" after her dog's name. It was doing well for several months, bur recently it looks like it's taken a turn for the worse. She's really close to the plant and is upset it's not doing well.

A month ago? or so she put some coffee grounds in the pot with it. Don't ask me why. But since then it started to turn south. When we figured it was doing bad re-potted it and of course the roots were soaked. I've just recently learned a lot of water is bad for them. I haven't been the one taking care of the plants but because this one is so close to her and she's not home that much I'm making the effort.

We live in central Texas, and it's hot as hell here (it was 103 today...in Sept). It usually sits outside on the porch (which is south facing) and we have one of those sun screens that block like 80% of the harmful rays or what have you.

I'm willing to do whatever to save it if it's possible. Any help would be appreciated

[Carpe Diem]

Your "Allie plant" looks to be a Phaleanopsis, Phal for short. It had a baby, the little green baby plant is called a keiki. I'm a newbie to orchids, so this is as far as I can go. The people here are amazing and will tell you what to do and how to go about it. Good Luck!

[Carpe Diem]

Correction: Phalaenopsis - I switched 2 letters

[Merlyn]

It looks to me that your keiki is a last ditch effort by the plant to save the species. They do that sometimes. The only hope is that the keiki will find enough energy in what's left of the plant to grow some roots and be able to make it on its own. The main plant that I could see is done. I would mist the keiki twice daily and hope for the best !

Good luck and to the forum !!!

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome.
I'm affraid you plant is dead and the keikie doesn't look like it has any roots so I don't believe you're going to be able to save it. Any chance you can get her another plant?
Joann

[keithrs]

I'm sorry to hear about your GF dog!!!! And I'm sorry to tell you that this plant can not be saved. You can wait for the keiki to produce a few root and try potting it in a repotme.com moss mix or sphagnum moss.

As far as culture gos..... This plant does best indoors. Temps- 55-85 max.

Water- Water just as mix becomes dry.Try not to get water in the 'crown' of the plant(the valley in-between the leaves). Use distilled water!!!!!!

Fertilizer- Fertilize once every 4 waterings with a 'Orchid' fertilizer 1/4 strength.

Light- NO direct sunlight...... Bright shade. Your south facing screen will work if its blocking 80% sun


Good luck...... I think your going to have to go out and buy a new one

[Otterinaround]

First off and welcome, would that the circumstances were better....

I may be an optimist but I THINK I see roots on the 2 o'clock area of the picture. But the leaves are wrinkled a VERY bad sign

That being said.... Get that little section into something more suitable.
Home Depot, Lowe's and others carry Better Gro Orchid Select mix (which is large and chunky) or Miracle grow (which looks like regular soil and fine wood chunks). The finer the media the more it holds water. This isn't exactly good as Phalaenopsis are epiphytes (growing like spanish moss on merely the humidity and nutrients in the air).

As this plant is young, it will need to be kept in the shade (enough to give it light to see and read by, but not so much you can see a clear outline of your hand on a hard surface a foot away).

Knowing Texas as a dry state I would recommend a moisture tray ( a tray full of pea sized pebbles that allows water to rest under BUT NOT TOUCH a pot)
BUT this is merely to make sure that humidity is less than 80%

A pot for an epiphyte you say? Yes, it lets us get away with watering less allowing for drying (to prevent rot) but not lacking humidity and for keeping the roots organized.

Take a peek at stuff around here on the site as it is a massive pile of amazing information. Phal's are very forgiving BUT there is a bare minimum and sunburning the heck out of them can be a serious death sentence.

[Bud]

Otter gave a very sound advice. I will add by saying that the plant is dehydrated. I know phals will get crown rot but with that media its on...its hard to overwater it. Oh well...ground coffee will suffocate the roots and wont let it breathe ...go read about phalaenopsis culture. I know you can revive this plant and let it bloom again. Because you have the determination and the drive. Infact you can make that baby plant grow into a mature flowering one...I have faith in you.

[RosieC]

I agree with others that the main plant is dead. I also think the baby will not get any more nutrients from that dried up stalk so you might as well remove the spike from the roots of the main plant and just work on saving the keiki.

With no roots on the baby, and wrinkled leaves it's going to be difficult. I would try putting the base in a VERY tiny pot (no wider than the leaves are across) making sure you use good quality orchid medium. Then mist the leaves every morning, possibly in your hot climate do it again in early afternoon. The leaves and especially the crown (where the leaves join) should be dry by night otherwise it can rot.

I've actually kept a rootless Paphiopedilum orchid alive since March that way and it's even growing slightly. I would try something similar for this.

[darantares]

Thanks a bunch for the great info y'all. I'm heading to Home Depot on the way home.

In regards to removing the little guy, how do I not screw that up? Should I just cut about an inch above and blow it off the main dried up stock and plant that?