i must save this phalaenopsis

[dbarron]

It's still showing dehydration symptoms (because of no roots). It should have taken a long time to get to this state, it will take a long time to get back from it. However, less is pretty much always more in dealing with orchids (with regards to water).

If in doubt, let it dry somewhat, then put in a plastic bag for the required week...possibly with roots emcompassed with very lightly wetted moss. In fact, that's a recommended recovery mechanism.

[aliceinwl]

The new roots look good. Your watering regime sounds fine. I agree you just need to wait it out at this point. I think the hot water bottle is probably overkill and I can’t see the plant deriving much benefit from the fluctating unpredictable temperatures. Even in this state, I think it should be able to weather five days of absence fine.

[inbetween]

This orchid is producing a new leaf. Does that mean it's in a good enough state finally, to do that, rather than just confused? I'm hoping you guys will say, the former. (I'm afraid to mess with the roots again, but I don't see any healthy looking new ones still, that are growing: it had started 3 new roots months ago, and the last time I repotted this plant, they had been the same size, less than 1 inch, for weeks.)

(Since Jan, I found a container that wasn't so deep and repotted it to that because that deep container was staying wet too long (in Mar sometime?) and with the sun changes, orchid started getting morning sun and got a sunburn on half of a leaf and I moved it to a hidden wall corner where it will stay in shade all day (2-3 weeks ago). Watering it by soaking it for about half an hour to 1 hr, every 4 days or so when it looks like everything is dry, sometimes I use kelp.) I'm documenting all this in case someone who needs help comes across this thread, and has as many clueless moments as I did, over this long a period. Really, orchids do not do anything fast.

[aliceinwl]

Any growth is a good sign. Hopefully, roots will follow shortly.