Paging Dr. House

[Raqsharqi]

My oldest phalaenopsis is in critical condition. I probably got it two years ago, and woefully neglected it because, frankly, I didn't know any better. Once I learned I should change the planting mix and put it in something that drained, the plant was down to two leaves and had, perhaps, two bits of viable root. Since then, it made a rather feeble attempt at growing another leaf, then stopped. The original leaves are limp and wrinkled, and when I checked the roots today I learned there really hasn't been any improvement in that area either. It is in the same place, with the same mix, the same light, and the same water as my other phals, but this little fella is just not doing well.

I could put it out of its misery....option 1. That seems wrong to me because there must be something I can do as long as there is at least one root. So...do I cut off anything that looks bad in the root department and start from scratch? Do I take an "off the wall" approach and try just sticking it on a hunk of wood in the greenhouse and see what happens? I don't know what else to try to save it, and learning what to do seems like a valuable lesson to learn.

Anyone?

[Bill U.]

It would enable us to be more helpful if you are able to post a photo or two so we can actually see what you are describing. Sometimes it can make all the difference in how to diagnose and prescribe treatment.

[Raqsharqi]

Let's see if I got the picture to load. I decided to cut off almost anything that didn't look perky green. That left me with a tiny nub and one root that is dark and probably marginal. I put the orchid back in the moss and stuck it in the greenhouse, figuring the additional humidity/mist might help. That small leaf has been there, and just about that size, for months now.

[ALToronto]

Get some seaweed extract or fish/seaweed fertilizer and give it a good soaking in the solution, for several hours. Then put it back in the fresh sphagnum mix and keep it barely damp. Raise the humidity, but keep the watering to a minimum. If it has any chance of recovery, this will kick-start it.

But unless it's a valuable, named species or hybrid, I would toss it, or use it for the practice.

[Raqsharqi]

If I can save it, ALToronto, I'd rather do that. If it dies, it's no great loss. No name, no special significance...but the practice is good, since you never know when you'll want to perform a miracle on a really special one.

[ALToronto]

Forgot to mention - you need to make sure it doesn't move in the pot. Bend a piece of steel wire around the stem and bend the ends into clips that snugly fit onto the sides of the pot. No right or wrong ways to do it, as long as the plant is secure.

[Raqsharqi]

I use styrofom peanuts to fill up the pot, so I stuck toothpicks in the peanuts to keep the orchid in place. Worked like a charm!

[No-Pro-mwa]

I would try and save it. I have a couple that I am working on and instead of running water through the pot I just mist them with a spray bottle just to wet the top of the media.

They are both putting out more roots and the Phal is spiking again.