SICKLY ORCHID - Orchid Board

brezzeynights · #1 09-13-2007, 02:48 PM

today i was given this sickly orchid is it possible to save it. The orchid does have new growth but this is not doing so well either the whole orchid is very wilty

I do want to save the poor orchid if possible

cb977 · #2 09-13-2007, 02:56 PM

I'd say you could save this one with a little work and patience. I've seen plants in worse shape make a comeback

I would remove it from the pot, remove (with a sterile knife or snippers) any rotted and/or mushy roots, repot it and start slowly watering it, adding a few drops of KLN (rooting hormone) to the water.

gerneveyn · #3 09-13-2007, 03:00 PM

It can be saved. The wilted look of wrinkled leaves is a telltale sign of dehydration--either the plant isn't being watered regularly or the root system isn't functioning properly. I would cut the the inflorescence or spike as short as you can and examine the roots. I would repot it immediately. Cut off all black or brown mushy roots. If there are not any good roots, follow the sphag and bag instructions from this link: Sphag-n-Bag
If you are unable to find Dynagro KLN, then look for Superthrive; you should be able to find it in the fertilizer section of Walmart, Home Depot, or Lowes.

quiltergal · #4 09-13-2007, 03:11 PM

I'm guessing it has root rot. I would replant in fresh media immediately. If the media is badly decomposed it will hold too much water for too long and as a result the roots suffocate and then rot. You want your media to drain well so sufficient air can get to the roots. Many folks use bark, but I prefer coco husk chunks, charcoal, and perlite mixed in a 4:1:1 ratio.

When you repot make sure to cut off all the dead and rotted roots with sterile scissors or knife. Healthy roots will appear white with green tips, or green. Older roots can be tan to brown but as long as they aren't squishy you can leave them. Dust all your cuts with cinnamon and repot. Then you wait patiently.

brezzeynights · #5 09-13-2007, 06:56 PM

I do not have any charcol at this moment will lava rocks work?

Dorothy · #6 09-13-2007, 07:45 PM

Make sure that when you repot, you use a pot with good drainage holes on the bottom. Phals hate to sit in water or have their roots constantly wet and that will cause the roots to rot.

BTW

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Don't worry - phals are hardy and given what they need - will bounce back and reward you with a stunning spike of flowers