Sad New Rescue Arrives

[JMNYC]

So Fab Staff guy rings my bell and hand me this pitiable, near death Phal in a big plastic pot.

Very unwell, clearly overwatered. I take it to the sink, knock it out, over 4" of the base rotted and, of course, all those roots. I cut off everything up to the healthy part. I remove the lowest leaf, find heroic little keiki!

I then get one of the 3" clear, shallow, plastic tubs I take from the recycling bin when I find them (originally containing apple sauce or related edibles). I get my two knives, heat their blades on a gas burner, I open three drainage holes at the bottom, open triangulated air vents on the perimeter, burn 3 holes to hang the wee thing.

I center what is left of the puppy in the new pot (puppy still has life), fill lower half with bark mix, top half with NZ moss, give it a number, hook up A 3 wire hanger, hang it high in relative shade.....if it comes back to life and health, I will gradually move it lower into brighter lite.

I made pics, very lame but I will put them up anyhow.

[JMNYC]

Update:

Badly abused/wounded now tiny Phal (but with discovered keiki) coming back to life already! Got that by just looking and touching gently. Again, reiterates the glorious resilience of all living beings! I always find this both thrilling and humbling.

I experience all my plants as guests in my home. Always have, always will.

Putting up pics.....puppy indicated in red. (When I run out of numbers, I just used an occupied number and a letter; helps me believe I am growing fewer than I am.)

Visible: bark mix, bottom half, NZ Sphag upper, half.

[LovePhals]

The poorly phal is looking much better now! Hopefully it bounces back for you.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by LovePhals

The poorly phal is looking much better now! Hopefully it bounces back for you.

Thank you so much.....they mostly do (all, of my, now, I 35 Phals are rescues). But some of my friends think my inherent desire to save them, esp phals, widely, icily regarded as affordable objects for the shut down to enjoy for as long as their blooms last....think I am nuts.

But YOU, being a veritable, also plugged in orchid lover, GET IT.

And, that this community I came upon appears populated by many of people of your ilk....for me, is a very big deal.