hey mutant,
just perhaps some reassuring thoughts, we got one of those nelly islers from a grocery last year cause the girl really like the flower, but it was one tiny, wrinkled pbulb with a spike.
one or two opined that it wouldn't make it with only one pbulb. buuuut, over the winter it wa repotted and now has a strong new growth! so, i guess what im saying is that these isler grocery clones seems to be pretty strong growers and even tho its small, don't give up on it! bet of luck, and if nothing else your friend will probly be happy to get another free orchid
