Repotted Phalaenopsis

[rosslyn1037]

Well, here's an update on this orchid: I took it out of the mix and all but two roots were alive. So I think its gone. To be optimistic, I put it in a clear container with a few rocks and a teeny bit of water. But I SERIOUSLY doubt it will do anything. I bought this orchid from Walmart because it was so cheap, $10. But I'm thinking that these orchids are not good quality, because I read other people's posts that theirs died too. So sad, because the flowers on this one were so pretty. I have two other orchids, one was from Costco and the other from a good supermarket here. They are doing really well. I looked after them the same way as I did the other one, but that one just didn't make it. Oh well, I don't think I'll buy orchids from Walmart again.

[LuvPhals]

Oh no don't give up on it. Damaged and recovering phals need patience and are not all the same. My Walmart rescue from last June did nothing until recently. It now has 2 new little leaves. They don't all respond to the same treatment either. If you have two roots left just let it be. It may have been over watered to begin with. In that case it's different in that it really needs some air to the two remaining roots and water sparingly. Leave out the spaghnum and just use the real chunky fir bark mix for it. Use the smallest clear pot with holes in it. Like I said, mine did nothing all this time till now. Actually mine only had like 2 roots left too. The roots need air and to just keep damp when they're damaged like this. Don't give up on it!

[rosslyn1037]

Some people said to take it out of the bark mix and just put it in a clear dish by itself because the roots have to do the photosynthesis thing now in place of the leaves, since there aren't any. So as I said, I put it in a clear dish with a teeny bit of water (for moisture) and some rocks for it to sit on and keep it out of the water. I hope that will be okay. What do you think?

[LuvPhals]

there are no leaves on it at all?

[rosslyn1037]

Nope, not one. Only two good roots.

[LuvPhals]

hmm... without any leaves ... somehow if it were me I would still very lightly put in it in the bark mix. depending on what the crown looks like - you have a little experiment now. don't go too deep with it, just put the roots in the bark and leave alot of the top in the air. then just water carefully around in the bark - not on the crown part.

[rosslyn1037]

The crown doesn't look great either, but since those roots are still alive...I don't know...there still might be some fight left in it to survive. I'm not giving up until the roots start looking like they are drying up too.

[LuvPhals]

let the crown part have air. don't get any water on the crown at all. it may just surprise you!

[rosslyn1037]

Thanks for the encouragement. I need it!

[LuvPhals]

You are welcome! For me the biggest challenge was starting with the really damaged ones first. I just found the the loose bark mix worked better for me than the other method. Also make sure it gets the right amount of light. You want the crown to get light. The roots will do their "thing".