DYING ORCHID - Orchid Board

emcarso1 · #1 11-30-2013, 04:42 PM

Hi there,
I am a novice orchid grower, I've had a few before that died but I got one a few months ago and I'm very attached. It's from Costco and when I bought it it had two flowering stems, with some buds. I followed the two ice cube a week instructions and it was healthy for over a month. Then all of the flowers dropped at once but the plant was still healthy overall. I waited a few weeks to see if it would rebloom, when it didn't I cut the stems back and decided to repot it. The roots were obviously crammed in the container so I went the next size up as I saw was suggested online. The roots were very green and looked healthy (based on google images) so I repotted in a bark material that had been soaking for 48 hours as the pack suggested. I let it completely drain before planting my orchid. After about a week I noticed the leaves were limp and the roots looked soggy so I figured I overwatered and waited it out. The leaves kept getting worse and the roots looked worse and dry so I watered. A week later the roots were brown so I poked one and it was hollow and came off in my hand. So I took it out of the container to find all the roots were dead when just weeks before they looked amazing (but very cramped). I tried taking it out of the medium but the roots were done. I've been trying the bag method, My orchid in its pot (with holes) above a bowl of water and in a bag, but now the leaves are going soggy and breaking. I am at a loss. Two new roots had appeared since taking the dead ones away but the one is starting to look bad (same time as the leaves going soggy). I really don't know what to do now.

Here's some pictures (the base was all dead roots so I put a mixture of Cinnamon and cooking oil as was suggested elsewhere online). The healthy root is the white one, it's very firm and seems to be growing fast. The one stem is obviously dying but I don't know if I should cut back more of the plant. The bases of the leaves are mushy so I can't mount it in my humidifier-greenhouse contraption. Help please!

RandomGemini · #2 11-30-2013, 05:57 PM

Sounds like this had a very advanced case of root rot. I do suspect you overwatered it, or it was overwatered at Costco.

IF this plant recovers, it will be years before it blooms again. If it were me, I would just cut my losses, toss this plant and go buy a healthy plant to replace it.

It can be saved, most likely, phals are pretty tough, but it will take a long time for it to recover.

WeirdGuySeattle · #3 12-01-2013, 03:24 PM

Most orchids like to be underpotted - they grow on trees and branches and what not, so have adapted to lots of air around their roots. I think potting up might have been a bad idea - even if its roots were a little cramped. I would never go above a 6" pot on this type of orchid - and that is only if the leaves are giant. 4" if they are on the small side.

I am curious if your growing area was cold at night (lower than 60) or if the plant wasn't getting much light too - they don't mind low light, but still need some decent indirect light to do well. They also like things warm - between 65 and 80 is prob best for this kind of guy.

Your best bet is to put it in a good size bag near a window and keep the plant sprayed with water during the daytime (where beads of water evaporate before an hour goes by, and well before nighttime). Otherwise - the grocery store had guys like this on sale the other day for like $5.99 - I was sorely tempted....

emcarso1 · #4 12-02-2013, 10:36 PM

Thanks for the help guys, sadly I checked on the orchid today and one of the leaves had fallen off and when I picked the rest of the plant up the other leaves fell off. Going to go to the store tomorrow and get two orchids to fill the hole in my heart. . . That's a bit dramatic but I was attached to the little guy.

Dendy83 · #5 12-03-2013, 01:37 AM

That's ok, once you do some research you'll get the hang of caring for orchids and you'll soon be addicted!

Bulbofett · #6 12-03-2013, 08:43 AM

That's why it is so much fun learning on the cheap orchids. If you make a mistake its one step closer to learning proper care without having spent too much money.

I started with one clearance phal. at Lowe's, and there was no stopping me after that.

Phal-lover · #7 12-03-2013, 11:54 AM

Aww, I'm sorry about your loss! But in the future,

NO ICE-CUBES.

Orchids are tropical plants, and the cold water form melting ice-cubes can shock or kill them. To water just bring them to a sink once a week and thoroughly wet the plant. Let it drain and wipe the water out of the crown.

I hope I help!