Save Orchid with no leave but a keiki

[JanetL]

I have this Phalaenopsis orchid for 6 months. After flowering it had grown 3 new leaves, some new roots and a keiki right below the dried flowers. A month a ago I saw a black spot on the side of its crown despite that I've being carefully watering it to avoid crown rot. It still happened IF it's the case. And then the leaves start to turn yellow one by one from the bottom. Now it has only one little leaf and the keiki left. And the leaf is loose, so I'm afraid that it is falling off soon.

Anybody know how to save a orchid like this? I heard about using hydrogen peroxide to spray the crown area to treat crown rot. But this is my first orchid, so I'm not sure if this is a case of crown rot.

[MattWoelfsen]

There is a member named James Mickelso (?) who often provides input. So I'm responding to you now so that this thread doesn't sink lower. I think there is hope,you might get another plant out of the keiki. But the mother plant looks like she is a goner. Orchids set up keikis as a response to stress.

[mattryan]

Your orchid is definitely salvagable. They key is to make sure it gets enough humidity until the keiki develops roots. I've had orchids with nothing but roots grow a basal keiki. I would mist the roots daily, no heavy watering and put the plant into a plastic sleeve. Leave the top open and hope mother has enough energy in her roots until the baby grows some it'self. Goodluck!

Cheryl

[WhiteRabbit]

You will likely get a keiki - or more than one - on the spike or a basal growth.

When I crown rotted a Phal with good roots, I just cared for it as usual, but did grow in lower light (bright, but highly diffused) - several weeks later it started a basal keiki.

(I merged your two threads)

[JanetL]

Thank you all for your advice! Since it looks very much like crown rot, I sprayed hydrogen peroxide into the crown last night. This morning the crown is totally dry. The last one leaf hasn't fallen off yet.

I sprayed little bit of water on the surface roots and they turned green. The keiki is covered with a plastic bag. I'm hoping that the rot don't go down to the roots and the keiki itself can develop some roots. I also read about how seaweed can help recovery of a plan, so I'll try it later.