Advice on saving two ailing phals

[The Orchid Kid]

Picked these two up today for the princely sum of £3 each.

I am planning a prompt repot. Was thinking is it wise to sacrifice the spike now, so the plant pushes all energy into recovery and regaining good health?

[Gage]

I'm not sure what kind of recovery they would need. Maybe the blooms have suffered, but the plants look perfectly healthy as far as I can tell. I would repot as you have planned, but cutting the spikes is up to you.

[The Orchid Kid]

There is a bit of leaf damage not showing in the photos and some rotten roots underneath, but yes I reckon you are right - ain't too unhealthy really, just bad blooms.

I will leave the spikes on then and see what occurs.

[NYCorchidman]

I do see the mechanical damage (the small split on leaf) in the first picture. How do those leaves feel to touch?

The second one look fine. leaves and roots and all.

The flowers are dropping because it's about time or the store kept the plants too cold or dry or both.

I personally do not believe in cutting spike to save the plant. If plants do not need spent spikes, they usually terminate them on their own term.

I would leave them as they might surprise you with a second flush of bloom or keikis on them.
I would check very closely of the leaves and roots though.
Correct watering is of course important. Place the plants in bright and warm area.
Usually phals that suffered cold in the store tend to respond with flowering again when brought back to warmth or resume growth if the temperature is kept very warm.
depend on the condition of plants, but whatever happens, the recovery usually shows in about a month or two. could take less or longer.

[The Orchid Kid]

I think they were kept too dry, as the medium was bone dry and some roots very brittle.

Wise thoughts on spike cutting - thanks.

The first one is definitely the worse. The leaves are quite limp and not succulent, so I will gently keep giving that one good amounts of water till they plump up I think? The flowers that were wilting a bit seems to have perked up which is really good! I will post a picture in a week or so for a bit of 'before and after'.

The second one is doing very well, with the remaining blooms starting to open, so I am presuming it is a happy orchid!

[The Orchid Kid]

well a bit over a month on and pleased to say they are both doing very well. The white one has opened all blooms fully and has a teeny secondary branch starting!

The deep purple started dropping its half opened buds, so I took the spike off, as am planning a repot, but is still very healthy.

The biggest change is that the leaves no longer feel so limp and have that succulent solid feel. Seems that is a good indicator of health in phals.

[WhiteRabbit]