brassavola hybrid dead but for one leaf and a new sprout

[Scabigail]

Hi- not sure if this is the right forum so let me know if I should repost elsewhere.

I've had a brassavola hybrid for about 12 years and it's one of my faves, but somehow it got buried in fall leaves this year and when I uncovered it a week ago it had almost totally died. It now has one leaf, two leafless canes, and a sad little sprout of new leaves coming in; most of the roots are gone but it still has a few short little 1" guys that green up when they're wet. I hacked off all the dead stuff, but now what should I do to try to save it?

I have it sitting in a tiny plastic pot with some water-retaining gel stuff right now trying to hydrate it up, but i dont want to rot the poor guy so im planning to pull it out soon. I also brought it inside- good or bad idea?

Thanks for any advice!

[WhiteRabbit]

Glad you found us!

I'd either pot this in as small a pot as possible, or mount it. You could try placing it in a small fish tank, or cut the top portion off a 2L soda bottle. Put pebbles in the bottom, keep water to just below the surface of the pebbles - put the plant in there (can be potted or bare root, or just in a small pot setting on top of a small amount of sphag. Keep mostly shaded and warm. Make sure some fresh air is allowed in (don't completely cover or close up)

I'm sure others will have more suggestions - good luck!

[Gage]

Sorry to hear your plant got buried by the leaves. I wouldn't baby it too much. I would just mount it or pot it in something that will dry quickly and completely between waterings, and only give it extra shade for a couple of weeks after mounting or repotting. Brassavola hybrids can be very hardy and vigorous, so I would bet if you just put it in a place with good light, good humidity and air circulation, it will come back with a vengeance! My Brassocattleyas are mounted to treefern, and seem to love it.

[Scabigail]

Thanks, y'all! I mounted it and I'm now crossing my fingers and trying not to check every 30 minutes for new growth.