Orchid adventures at doctors office.

[LizB88]

Today I took my mom to her heart specialist, and when we enter the consultation room my heart almost came to a full stop.

They had two very dehydrated orchids on the windowsill, and I guess my expression was such that the doctors assistant immediately said to me "I being trying to look after them but they don't seem to get any better, they are actually about to die and I'm getting ready to put them in the trash", and before I knew what had come out of my mouth I said, if you are getting rid of them I'll take them and try to save them.

So... I'm not very good with phals, unless they are minis, and I will be doing a lot of homework trying to keeps this two recovering and I will be counting on all of the experts here at OB that have successfully restore the health of neglected or overly loved orchid.

So what do you guys think, they need new media, which I think I will change it to what I use for my other orchids. Although I like moss, I don't particularly do well with it.
But because this are so dehydrated, I'm think that putting some moss with the bark will help retain moisture.

But I will know better when I take them out and really take a good look at the roots.

[judith_arquette]

Congrats on the two new additions and kudos to you for trying to save them. They both look like they've recently gotten a new leaf growing and the second pic looks to me like a new root so I'm guessing they're not in that bad of shape but hopefully those with more experience will chime in...I'm struggling to just not kill off all my Phals completely
Good luck with your two new rescues! pls keep us updated

[RandomGemini]

Well, they could definitely be worse. New leaves on one and I see a new root growing on the other. There's definitely hope!

When you get into the one with yellowing on the leaves, I think you will find a lot of rot. Go ahead and cut back any dead roots. Leave the leaves to die back on their own. Don't cut them. The phals will use up the energy stored in those dying leaves to grow new roots.

I wouldn't change the medium just yet. I'm not seeing a ton of living roots here and when you change medium, I've noticed this with my larger phals, the old roots tend to die as the new ones grow that are adapted to the new medium. You need all the living roots you can get right now. I would put them in some fresh moss until they've got between four and ten good sized roots, pencil thick is what you're looking for, then repot it into your favorite medium.

I would pack the moss loosely. These plants are very compacted and that's the trouble most folks get into with moss. It's packed too tightly and doesn't allow for air flow. Also, get them into slotted pots if you can, or cut some air holes in the existing pots, to allow air to get to the root system.

I think you could get away with tucking a couple of styrofoam peanuts into the center of the root mass, to help the moss dry a bit more quickly.

Good luck!

Edited to add: I also wanted to share that I just started potting some of my mini phals in NZ sphagnum moss because they weren't doing well in bark. The stuff is worth the expense to get! It's fluffy, holds a good amount of moisture and it dries out pretty evenly. It doesn't turn into a great big wet ball of slop when you drench it.

[LizB88]

judith_arquette, I think you are right, they could be worse. They both have new leafs, so they may make it after all.

RandomGemini, thanks for all the advice. The moss was so dry and they had them on a south window. I only water them when I got home, I think that I will keep them in moss just like you suggested until I see more new roots growing. And I think you are right about having some rot if not a lot, just because I can see some black already around the crown. I may give it a little shower with some Listerine.

I will keep you posted on the progress.

[Dendy83]

I just wanted to chime in and say that moss isn't all that bad. I've got some recovering mini's in loosely packed moss and they're doing great. I think as long as it's loose and that you make sure they're dry in the middle before watering. There's definitely hope for these guys, but perhaps a long recovery. It will be rewarding to see them bounce back though, good luck!

[LizB88]

Just wanted to give you an update on how the two orchids are doing.

One lost leafs but has given me new ones and is also getting new roots. The second one is also growing new roots, a little slower then the other one, but that is o.k.

I still have them on the original media, I am waiting for the roots to be a little longer/stronger. But any subjections from orchid intensive care pros is greatly welcome.

[Lilac]

How lucky for you! How nice of you to save them!

Phals are such survivors that if you follow all the advice here guaranteed they will be fine and blooming for you in no time! Best wishes!

[RandomGemini]

Looking good!! You are on the road to recovery!

[LizB88]

Here are two more pic that show the progress better.

The one that had the yellow leaf, is the one that loss the two mature leafs and has grown several leaf, is a faster grower I think. The other one still has the old wrinkle leaf and is a little slower with the roots, it may also be going into test.

Phals are usually the orchid that challenges me the most ( I killed all the ones I bought ~9), so I stop buying them. The ones I have now are all what I call hand me downs

[Cym Ladye]

Please consider visiting "The Phal abuse ends here" as a sticky at the top of the Beginner forum. It should answer most of your questions and we will not have to repeat ourselves on many questions asked and answered.

In any case, get them out of the old mix and repot in fresh mix immediately. Cut off any rotten roots and then gently coil/screw all the remaining roots (including aerial) into a pot just big enough to hold them and fill with the fresh mix. Tamp down firmly.