Inherited orchid very stressed

[Unplant]

Inherited a phal. Was healthy. Watered with orchid fertilizer once weekly. Had 7 blooms.

Had accident and four blooms knocked off. Heartbroken.

Had to move to new home. Cold temps. Protected with plastic throughout move.

Rest of blossoms fallen off.

I want to give this dear plant the treatment it deserves.
How can I provide a hospital/place of recovery for it?

Questions
What can I do now to assist it to rest and recoup?
Will it bloom again?
I am so sorry for the stress I have given to this plant.
Do orchids do well with classical music playing nearby.

Thank you for your forum
Unplant

[fishmom]

Music probably won't hurt, but more important will be warm temperatures, humidity, moderate light, and protection from drafts. Losing blossoms is not surprising after a move and change in growing conditions, but with good care the plant should recover.

You don't say anything about your present growing conditions. What kind of light does your plant get? What is the daily range of temperatures? How is it potted? If you can post a picture of the plant, it would be helpful.

[Unplant]

Thank you, fishmom. I was just feeling my way with my post. The plant is presently in 70 degree apartment, north facing window ( can move it to our public laundry room, however, which is south facing )

I will post two small photos as soon as I can figure out how to do that.

Many thanks !

---------- Post added at 09:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:37 AM ----------

Photos.

Shrunk them for board Hope not too small.

Do not want to repot.

Orchid has good drainage and looks healthy in the root area, I think..but I am not the pro.

I just do not want to repot. I hear stories of lost orchids from novice re potters.

Here are photos
Many thanks

Would not accept my post. Images small. Put links in

URLS are :wtv-zone.com /thanky/Orchid1 jpg.
And Orchid2.jpg

Remove spaces, etc and try to open links your browser. Sorry ..but the board would not accept them when I posted them in the correct format with [url] etc. know how to correctly submit, I think. But board refused.

---------- Post added at 10:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 AM ----------

Wtv-zone.com/thanky/Orchid3.jpg
Shows flower

[Orchid Whisperer]

Easier way to post photos:

Copy link to the photo

Where you want to place the photo, type



Done.

Regarding the plant, it could use repotting, but looks OK otherwise, not terribly stressed, just not blooming anymore. If the plant is not already loose in the pot, soak the roots in a container of water. An hour is usually enough, longer is OK, try not to leave it soaking more than a day.

Remove from the pot. Remove any potting material that is loose (if roots are tightly holding a piece of bark, just leave it attached). Dead roots feel thin, dry, papery, are usually brown; break those off. Leave the firm roots on. sometimes there is a dead sterm below the live roots, you can snap that off.

You can re-pot in the same pot, clean it first. If you want a different pot, use the smallest pot that will fit the roots. This could mean going with a smaller pot. I have few Phalaenopsis in plastic pots, most of mine (90%) are in terracotta pots. If you use plastic, I prefer to put in the bottom third of the pot plastic packing peanuts, or chips of styrofoam roughly the same size. Middle third of the pot, about 50% styrofoam, 50% orchid bark. Top third of the pot, orchid bark, or a mix of orchid bark and coarse charcoal. I always pot with dry bark (I find this reduces rotting of damaged roots right after repotting). Orchid bark is readily available at Lowes or similar stores, I like the Better Gro brand, 8 quarts costs about $5.

I usually wait a day or two after potting before I water.

[Optimist]

Just a thought: If you put packing peanuts and other lightweight "potting" material in the pot. you might need a heavier decorative pot to put the plastic pot in to keep your orchid from being top heavy or "tipsy." If you have children or cats, you will find out the rationale for this.

I also think as long as the leaves and roots are good, then the plant will recover and have a new bloom spike next year. Phalaenopsis orchids generally bloom once a year, and the blooms last about 6 months or so under normal situations. Phalaenopsis orchids from stores often have been induced to bloom by the grower using temperature "tricks" or chemicals. These plants often have to get on their regular "bloom cycles" in order to bloom normally. All phals I have ever known have a normal bloom cycle starting in January, and then going on to march or so, so the blossoms will be there in late winter to early spring. (Nice since no other flowers are growing at that time).

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Optimist

Just a thought: If you put packing peanuts and other lightweight "potting" material in the pot. you might need a heavier decorative pot to put the plastic pot in to keep your orchid from being top heavy or "tipsy." If you have children or cats, you will find out the rationale for this.

I also think as long as the leaves and roots are good, then the plant will recover and have a new bloom spike next year. Phalaenopsis orchids generally bloom once a year, and the blooms last about 6 months or so under normal situations. Phalaenopsis orchids from stores often have been induced to bloom by the grower using temperature "tricks" or chemicals. These plants often have to get on their regular "bloom cycles" in order to bloom normally. All phals I have ever known have a normal bloom cycle starting in January, and then going on to march or so, so the blossoms will be there in late winter to early spring. (Nice since no other flowers are growing at that time).

I don't have cats (used to; dog instead now, who leaves plants alone), also kids are grown. But, your point is well taken. Use small rocks or coarse gravel to replace all or part of the plastic in the lower part of the pot.

For my Phals, they seem to start blooming in spring, or in fall, as the plants move to cool temperatures in those seasons. I usually have Phals blooming in more months than not.

FWIW, other reliable winter-spring bloomers, Coelogyne Unchained Melody, Ludisia discolor, various cattleyas and Oncidium alliance species and hybrids. My Oncidium sphacelatum is going crazy right now, with 4-foot spikes that are not fully formed yet, 6 spikes on 4 plants.

[Unplant]

Thank you orchid whisperer and Optimist.

OW. You said
Easier way to post photos:
Copy link to the photo
Where you want to place the photo, type
Done.

Tried that. Did not work. Did everything the way I was supposed to, but post was not accepted. That is why I mentioned it.

Thank you both for your kind responses
Al

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Unplant

Thank you orchid whisperer and Optimist.

OW. You said
Easier way to post photos:
Copy link to the photo
Where you want to place the photo, type
Done.

Tried that. Did not work. Did everything the way I was supposed to, but post was not accepted. That is why I mentioned it.

Thank you both for your kind responses
Al

Try it again after you have posted a total of 5 times.

[Laticauda]

I uploaded pictures as my first post. Just upload them using the "manage attachments" button on the advanced post.

[Unplant]

Hello again. I found the perfect spot for the orchid I was given and gave it tender loving care until it began to look like it was going to bloom again!!

However, it is in a semi public area, and children sometimes are around and one day I looked in and the main stem was completely broken off near its base.

I wanted to weep.

Anyway, I tried to make a graft. I know I am dreaming, but I put the stem together where it had broken off and wrapped some tape around it and have been praying, but I think it is wishful thinking. The stem had a lovely four nodes on it. The new growth was at the top node. BUT now that the stem has been broken, there are no visible nodes.

Will it ever bloom again?


I am going to try and post a couple photos again

Help, please
Unplant