Kathyah - Orchid Board

kathyah · #1 04-17-2008, 07:54 PM

Hi there! I have a Odtna, Yellow Parade 'Alpine' that is in full blossom and the flowers are awesome but I repotted the plant and now the plant is very leathery and some parts are turning dark. I am afraid that I will lose it. I have since read and found that I should not have repotted when it was blooming. What should I do? Can it be saved or is it a goner because I am a newbie? HELP!!!

kiki-do · #2 04-17-2008, 08:32 PM

Hi Kathy, welcome!

I have two questions for you. Why did you feel you had to repot...was something wrong in the first place? And what type of medium did you use. As a general rule, you don't repot when it's in full bloom, but I know of many who have and if done very carefully, you should be okay. But answers to those two questions would help alot. And posting pictures would be even better.

kathyah · #3 04-17-2008, 11:16 PM

Dear Kiki,
I changed the pot because of cosmetic reasons, I feel so dumb! I just transfer the pot I did not change the media at all. As I said originally, I should have read PRIOR to changing. I tried to attach 3 pictures but could not get them to upload. I am probably doing something wrong on this site because I have done it many times before. Thanks so much for your help. I should have done this first. Thanks again!

Dorothy · #4 04-18-2008, 07:52 AM

To post photos, follow these links -
You have to resize your photo first - Resizing Images...originally posted 6/13/06 by Marty
Thumbnail pics in posts
Gallery Photos

cb977 · #5 04-18-2008, 08:46 AM

Hi Kath...

Your repotting while the plant is in bloom most likely has nothing at all to do with what's happening. I repot every chid as soon as I get it, whether it's in spike, bud or bloom!

What did the roots look like when you had it out of the pot? Were they white and fresh or soft and brown? If they were soft, did you remove those bad roots? One thing that should have been done was to use fresh media in the new pot. Who knows how long the old stuff had been in the old pot? You may have to repot again, using fresh stuff and doing a root clean-up...but you should be fine.

We'll help you out, don't worry. Once you post a picture, we might be able to come up with an answer for you.

kiki-do · #6 04-18-2008, 10:42 AM

Hi Kathy! Please don't beat yourself up so. Once we get to the bottom of it, you should be fine. Like Sue just said and I say, many change the media while in bloom, so that probably isn't the problem. Everyone who grows orchids have made numerous mistakes, as it is a learning adventure....and frankly, I don't see what you did as a mistake. So hang in there, you'll be fine.

kathyah · #7 04-18-2008, 01:31 PM

You people are great! Thank you for all of your help. I am posting the pictures now. Thanks for the tip!

Ross · #8 04-18-2008, 01:36 PM

The second picture looks like desication to me (shrivelling due to lack of water). Ray has posted many times preaching that roots don't rot from water, they rot from lack of air (think I have that right). This orchid needs lots of light. Slowly acclimate it to full sun over a period of a few weeks. Early morning sun is good to start. The pot uou have it in may be part of the problem. Looks like it holds too much water. If you really want to use that pot (provided it has a drain hole) then you need to be repotting into large chunk bark or equivilant. By large chunks I mean 3/4"-1" chunks so air can get to the roots.

kathyah · #9 04-18-2008, 01:39 PM

I didn't attach this one. I think that it is important for you all to see. Thanks so much!

kiki-do · #10 04-18-2008, 01:56 PM

I agree with Ross, it needs bright light, and needs air flow. Orchid pots usually have several holes/slits in the pots.
My plant similar to that, I really water it well.... soaking the roots in water for about 10 to 15 minutes, then making sure it can drain out well. I don't water mine again until it's good and dry. I do mist around the roots inbetween times. I fertilize every other watering.
I don't have that particular type plant, but one very similar that requires the same type care and that is how I care for mine. Everyone has a little different method, so you may get several ideas and you can take whatever works best for you.
All in all, I think it will be A-Okay, just needs some tweaking. And you have a beautiful orchid!