Free Mini Phalaenopsis Orchid Save doesn't seem to be doing all that well :(

[Irielicious]

I recently was given a mini phalaneopsis orchid at a local grocery store. She had lost all her blooms and of course I knew that meant they were going to throw her away . So I decided to see if they would let me buy her at a discount. Sadly, when I got her home most her roots were a mushy mess or dry. So I potted her up in bark which only seemed to make more roots die from dehydration and then of course start to mold because I was watering her more to try to save her. Does she look salvageable?

Orchid Whisperer gave me good advise which was to unpot her and soak her daily and then let her dry out. While I think this has helped her hold on some I'm not sure shes got enough roots to really keep her hydrated and fed. The only hope I have is that I see a small bump like a root is trying to burst forth and I bought a better orchid fertilizer yesterday that wasn't urea based. Today is her first soak in the new fertilizer.

[Ray]

The plant is certainly capable of surviving, but it really has no need for fertilizer at the moment. Instead, consider a root-growth stimulant like KelpMax, or a fresh bottle of K-L-N.

With the lack of a decent root system, the plant cannot take up adequate water, so is in danger of desiccating to death. The root stimulant will help it grow new roots quickly, and in the mean time, it needs to be kept in maximum humidity to slow water loss.

[Irielicious]

Originally Posted by Ray

The plant is certainly capable of surviving, but it really has no need for fertilizer at the moment. Instead, consider a root-growth stimulant like KelpMax, or a fresh bottle of K-L-N.

With the lack of a decent root system, the plant cannot take up adequate water, so is in danger of desiccating to death. The root stimulant will help it grow new roots quickly, and in the mean time, it needs to be kept in maximum humidity to slow water loss.

Yup I have been using natural ones like honey, a ground kelp powder I mix with osmotic water and fresh coconut water. Funds are a bit low ATM so I try to use what I have around the house. I will be making willow tea soon also to see if I can get the indole-3-butyric acid that way. I have the powdered form but it is insoluble in water so it will be a bit useless on my orchid as it isn't a "woody" plant. Thanks for the suggestions I really appreciate it.