Attempt to safe 2 almost dead phalaenopsis orchids

[LittleOrchy]

This week I brought two phalaenopsis orchids home that my sister had left on the balcony because she thought they were dead. It is winter here and the plants are really damaged.

I've repotted them, cut away the damaged roots and shortened the spikes. One of the plants had a lot of roots left the other one almost none.

The leaves were light coloured, drooping and see through.
Most of the roots are grey and wrinkling.
After a few days the leafs fell off and now I'm really worried that the plants might not survive.

My thoughts were too cold and too little water but I could be wrong because they were neglected outside.

I have bought some orchid nutrition to put in the water for next time I water them. The plants are now on the window sill, there is some light here but it's winter so nothing extreme. Should I put them on a darker spot during recovery?

My other question is, should I take it slow on the watering after so much damage? Or do the plants need some more than usual because they have been neglected?

Any other tips are always welcome.


(I have one other phalaenopsis orchid who luckely is doing very well and flowering for the second time while under my care. It has really firm, dark unstanding leafs and many flowers. Goals for my new damaged plants! After this blooming period it will probably need to be repotted to see how the roots are doing, I bet she can use some new orchid soil and a new medium with more holes in it than the one it is in now)

[MrHappyRotter]

Were they exposed to freezing temperatures? It kind of sounds like they were. If so, they're dead or close enough to it that you might as well call them dead.

Even if they weren't exposed to outright freezing temperatures, the fact that the leaves were "see through" and then fell off tells me those plants aren't really recoverable. You might luck out, but it's going to take a lot of luck, and a lot of time (years). Personally, I wouldn't even bother, but I know everybody's situation is different.

[SouthPark]

I think that to give the best chance for them is to put them in a room temperature environment, and give them enough light during the day-time. And if there's not enough natural light at your home, then a UV light system would likely help a lot. Water the orchid that still has lots of roots in the usual way. But ensure that the potting medium allows for good drainage and no water-logging - to prevent drowning of the roots.

The orchid with very little roots ---- you could probably show a picture of it to illustrate the situation. If it still has some roots, then you could still do the watering in the usual way --- since if the roots are alive, then water can still get into the plant. But once again - ensure good drainage, and no water-logging - to avoid drowning the roots.

You mentioned leaves fell off ..... but this makes it unclear as to how many are left - if any. Photos would be beneficial.

[aliceinwl]

I agree with SouthPark if you want to try to nurse them back. A seedling heat mat may also help to speed recovery. It may take years for them to bounce back, but it can be rewarding.

I would also hold off on the fertilizer, until they have good root system to take it up it’s not going to do any good. Some kind of kelp based supplement could however help promote root regeneration.

[LittleOrchy]

Thank you for the advice! My thoughts were almost dead too but also, if I can make them healthy again this would be super rewarding If not then, at least I've tried.

There are no leafs left on the plants, that's what made me worried mostly but I also kind of knew that the leafs looked so unhealthy that they would probably fall off at some point. And yes, they probably were freezing outside.

Don't think they will make it but I'll just give it a try.
Good to know about the fertilizer.

Will make photo's soon.

[estación seca]

If it was 0C / 32 F or below I wouldn't waste the time.

[LittleOrchy]

Okay, good to know!