Severely sunburned Phalaenopsis

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

To each their own, but there is nothing really wrong with those mass-produced Phalaenopsis in WF or other groceries. They are actually good orchids to learn with.

Except that they are twice the price of Trader Joe's orchids.

(I like both stores. I do frequent TJ's more but WF has items I won't buy elsewhere. And not all TJ's and WF are the same in selection and quality.)

[cra323]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

But.... maybe....you can learn from this catastrophe and save this plant. Even the worst of sinners can find redemption. Put it somewhere that has subdued light levels and is warm. Let whatever tissue die off without doing anything. Once it is dead and dry, cut it off with a razorblade. Water it lightly. Is it in sphagnum moss (most likely)? If so, water it by just sprinkling some water on the top of the moss, wait a bit and sprinkle some more. Don't soak it. There is little left to absorb and utilize the water. You are only keeping it humidified. The leaves that weren't burned too badly will give it enough energy to produce new leaves or at least a keiki. There are roots still buried in the moss and those will keep this going. Orchids are incredibly resilient organisms so give it a helping hand. It'll surprise you. You can throw it away but you can also learn a great deal and win. Your choice.

Should I not water it while I wait for the tissue to die off? Does this mean I don't cut the spikes yet? And when I go to cut off the dead and dry tissue, do I take it out of the pot and cut the roots too (since some of them also got sunburned)?

I desperately want to save this plant. I haven't had it long, but I always get attached

Thank you all so so much for the input!!!

[Joyorchid]

Are you able to post a photo? You need 5 posts so go comment in other threads and then put a picture up. It will help with giving accurate advise.

[cra323]

Originally Posted by Joyorchid

Are you able to post a photo? You need 5 posts so go comment in other threads and then put a picture up. It will help with giving accurate advise.

I think I have 5 posts now...

Here are some pics

[Joyorchid]

So here is what I would do:
1. Cut the spike. It will divert the plants energy into recovery.
2. If the 2 leaves on top are mushy, cut them off making sure to cut into the living tissue. Then dab cinnamon on the cut edges taking care to not get the cinnamon on the root.
3. Place it in a lower light area.
4. Water as normal letting the media and roots dry out between watering.

[howze01]

I agree with Joyorchid. Looks to me like there is plenty there to save. Good luck!

[judith_arquette]

Good luck! I have one right now who's root system was almost completly rotted out. I read somewhere on here that if the inner hard white part is still intact, after removing all the rotten mushy part, that there's hope and sure enough, 3-4 months later I now have a new root starting! This forum is great and the knowledge you will gain here invaluable but don't be too hard on yourself if it doesn't make it, I've lost several and just have to chalk them up as lessons learned and knowledge gained.

[rvalkenburg]

The first thing I would do is take it out of the existing media and pot and check the roots. If you are going to shock it by cutting the spike and burned leaves off, you should also cut out any mushy dead roots and plant it in a better media like bark/charcoal/perlite or PrimeAgra/Hydronton (harder to get readily). By doing this you will also see how far the damage traveled through the plant. Also, I agree, after that place the plant away from windows for about a month to let it recuperate. Make sure to not over water, its better to underwater when the plant is stressed.

[james mickelso]

I would not repot this now. I would cut off the spikes since the flowers are already shrinking and will fall off. I would just let this be for now. If the leaves get mushy, and they will to some extent, then cut them off with a razor. But I would not repot this at this time. My reasoning is the plant has had enough trauma and any disturbances will just hasten it's losing even more moisture and energy. Do not soak the moss. Sprinkle water on the top and let it soak in. Just a little. Then sprinkle on some more. You do not want the moss to become soaked. With moss this dense, the air flow, which is now vital to this plants recovery, will be reduced and rot most likely will set it. Everything on this plant is fine except for the two top leaves, and the flowers. Cut these off and then just keep the moss damp but not wet.

[rvalkenburg]

I would still repot it at this point for many reasons. First since this is a "Store" bought plant and in moss it has probably been over watered and the media typically is soaked from what I have seen over the years. Second reason is that if it was left in the car that long to burn the leaves that means the root temperature was extreme and if in a moist media it may have boiled the roots. The other is since its a "Store" plant there is probably root rot, does not matter what the leaves look like or that is has a flower spike. The longer you keep it in the same pot and media the worse that can get as the bacteria will keep attacking the healthy roots. I have stripped down hundreds of these store bought plants (leaves, spikes, roots, media, pot) and have never lost one yet. It will take sometime for it to recover but nothing with Orchids is fast.