Help! Walmart rescues(2 phals)

[CLWheeler]

Shopping for patio cushions I saw horror! The 1/2 off shelf full of abused, sad, toppled over orchids. I found 2 that looked like they could be saved.
I need help on what to do next. I'm new at this
Should they be re-potted? Fertilized? They had only bottom drainage in the small plastic pot, so I gently cut side slits/holes.
I also am not sure if I should keep them away from my other phal orchid?
I attached some pics of them and their care tag(what a joke)
Thanks for any help I can get

[RosieC]

They look OK, rather dried, but there could still be some good roots there.

I would take off the spikes, and repot. Cut off any hollow or mushy roots (looks more likely you will get hollow than mushy) and see what is left. Pot up in a pot just big enough to take the remaining roots.

It's always best to keep new orchids away from others. I am bad at taking my own advise there, but you risk bugs or disease spreading if you don't.

[Paphluvr]

RosieC gives some good advice. Repotting is a very good idea. First pot photo (one on left) seems to show some decent roots (notice moisture on pot wall) but the one on the right I see mostly dead roots that have been allowed to dry out.

If there are enough drainage holes in the bottom of the pot that should be sufficient. And throw away that instruction sheet that came with the plants and find some good cultural information on the Web. For most people in a home environment with low humidity that is an insufficient amount of water for this type of plant (and probably too infrequent).

[charitysmama]

Anyone guilty of Walmart bashing???? I am, but I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in to my local Walmart and found phals also on a mark down rack for $4.99. I picked out two that still had flowers and brought them home. I was very impressed that they were growing in bark and a good, heavy, clear plastic pot with beautiful roots. This gives me hope to find good stuff at Wally world. You just have to hunt!!!

[CLWheeler]

Looks like the same grower in pic above for mine!
I ordered new pots, when the blooms fall off I'll cut the spikes.
I have an older Phal and never cut spikes. Should I do that? Before I re-potted it I noticed some growth on one spike. (old thread-Not sure I did the right thing) I think that spike stopped growing those buds due to the re-potting shock. I posted pics in the old thread.
I am new to orchids but am trying my best to do right by them. I've always admired their beauty
I've got great green thumbs!

[charitysmama]

Originally Posted by CLWheeler

Looks like the same grower in pic above for mine!
I ordered new pots, when the blooms fall off I'll cut the spikes.
I have an older Phal and never cut spikes. Should I do that? Before I re-potted it I noticed some growth on one spike. (old thread-Not sure I did the right thing) I think that spike stopped growing those buds due to the re-potting shock. I posted pics in the old thread.
I am new to orchids but am trying my best to do right by them. I've always admired their beauty
I've got great green thumbs!

Hi, the tags on mine are different, but the pots look the same. There is a brand called "Just Add Ice". I don't know if that is what you have. Their theory is to water with 3 ice cubes a week, and I have read that some people freeze dilute fertilizer water and use that. I haven't tried that. The ones I bought have a recessed area on the bottom, I like that, and have purchased the same pots from orchid suppliers to use on some I am going to repot, so I think they are good. I have been raising orchids for several years but am not an expert. I do know that I have had more blossoms grow on a spike that I thought was thru. It's hard to know if you should repot or not. I think it makes a difference what they are growing in. I live near the Oregon coast, and several that I have purchased were literally stuffed with moss, so I am in the process of repotting them because the moss doesn't dry out before the roots start to rot. I found out that was the problem on this website, it's good for advice for newbies. I have one orchid that my DIL gave me that bloomed for over a year, just one spike. Beautiful.;

[Optimist]

If they are in bark the can be saved. Old blooms may just be fading andready to be cut off anyway.

[CLWheeler]

The good thing they are packed in bark. Not like my first when I saw how root bound in moss it was.
I'm not sure what to do with the old spikes. Cut? Leave?
I've read so many conflicting advice on this. Some say cut after 2nd node and it will re-bloom. Some say the stress of re-bloom on a Phal bloom, after bloom will kill it.
I don't know what to do! Advice please
On top of my 3 Phals I'm working on. My husband brings home another Phal for Valentines Day. It's beautiful! I first inspect it, packed in moss! Here we go again.....

[charitysmama]

I think if the roots aren't healthy, you should keep it from blooming for awhile, so cut the spike. Don't know about stress of re-blooming. Your husband sounds like a keeper!!! Today would have been my anniversary, but my husband passed away 2 years ago. Every day is getting better, and orchids help!!!

[CLWheeler]

Thanks Charitysmama! Glad your everyday is getting better. It must be very difficult on days like today.
Good to know to cut the spike!

My new Orchid! Beautiful!