Myriad of problems for a 2 year old Phalaenopsis.. Any suggestions?

[Girls4President]

Hi everyone.. so as my incredibly long winded title suggests I have a few problems with my 2 1/2 year old Phalaenopsis..
I apologize in advance for my lengthly first post.. Figure it would be easier to narrow down the cause of my issues if you have all the background. So, here it goes..

This is my first orchid and the plant was fantastic for about a year in my previous apt., humidity and sun were great, I took ridiculously good care it. It originally came in spag. moss but, I had to replace the molded moss with an orchid plant mixture from Miracle Grow (I hate it) as I could not for the life of me find more moss and it's been in that junk ever since. I moved into a high rise with very little humidity a year ago and my roommate insists on keeping our apt. at arctic temps. (70 during day-60 at night) I suspect it has gone dormant and has produced only a tiny new leaf that seems to have stopped growing and no stems for almost a year and a half .. however, I still watered it once a week and fertilized it every couple of month. Left town for 4 months and my roommate didn't water it over the summer..so dehydration is a problem. I tried a revive solution and it seemed to perk up some however the leaves are wrinkled.. My roommates have thrown the plant out a couple of times insisting that I didn't need to keep an "dead tarantula plant" but, the roots are still very green as were the leaves. After I dug it out of the trash and stuck it in the bathroom for a couple of days. Some mild root rot has appeared and the oldest leaf is turning red/yellow.. I took the plant out of the awful bark mixture it was in and cut off the diseased roots. There is some mild leaf damage from being left in the window for months..as well as being thrown in the trash..lol. A friend suggested a quick soak in diluted hydrogen perxiode and then trying the spag n bag method to encourage new root growth.I may be wrong but, I think there is still hope left for this plant. Any suggestions on how to get this plant back on track (if possible) and most importantly show my roommates they were incredibly wrong? Below are a couple photos of the plant in its current state.. Thanks for all your help!

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome to the OB.
As long as the plant has a couple of healthy roots it has a chance of survival.
I would pot this plant in a good bark mixture (NOT Miracle Grow) in a very small pot with good drainage. Water when the media is dry and set it in a spot where it will get good light but not direct sun. Once roots start growing I would probably fertilize weakly weekly. Good luck.
Joann

[Judi]

I agree with Joann, there is hope for your plant--not so sure about your roommate though

[jenmonkey]

Yeah, those roomies are gonna be a problem. I think I might actually become violent if a roommate tried to throw out one of my orchids.

But your roots look great, considering all it's been through! However, even if you have to go online and order something, get that plant in some good quality bark, pronto!

Another thing you mentioned is the air-conditioned temperatures. My Phal's are happiest in the bathroom where they stay nice and warm (70-90 degrees, usually) and get tons of humidity. I doubt yours will be happy when the air is as cold and dry as you say. Maybe find a nice warm nook and put a heat source and a little humidifier near it? Otherwise, your plant will surely survive, but may never flower or thrive again.

Seems like one tough little bugger though. I like that in a plant. Or a person, for that matter.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

1. Kick your roommates to the curb (if possible).

2. Phal is salvageable.

3. It most likely did slow down its growth because of the lower temperatures, but it will be okay.

4. No sphag and bag, not necessary.

[trdyl]

I agree with all.

Your plant is quite salvagable and looks to be in pretty good shape concidering what it has been through. Just use the smallest pot it will fit into.


Welcome to OB!

[RJSquirrel]

how much time do you have to put into a 15 dollar plant to make you feel like you got your money out of it? toss that thing back in the trash and go buy another one

[johnblagg]

sphag and bag the roommate

[Daethen]

I disagree with rjsquirrel. I am a saver. The plant meant a lot to you and if you are like me, you don't want to lose it, period. I would fight to save it too. Good luck with the roomate. If you can get past that obsticle, the plant should come around.

[johnblagg]

I myself dont look at them as $ amounts or disposable and even when they are going downhill they are the chance to learn what needs done and if you save this one you will be a better grower in the end ....it is not the worst plant the members on the Ob have seen and far worse have been rescued ....take the plant and get a large container -Fill it with a mix of weak fertilizer and water and saok it for a half hour to get some water in it ....perhaps cover the roots loosley with damp paper towles overnight ...and I men just damp not wet. Then soak it againg tommorow for 30 mins or so in teh same solution and then cover again to keep it from drying out.untill you can get some better bark or hydrotron or even moss if you think moss is your best bet ...I myself wold go for hydrotron ...pets stores will have a fine grade that is used in reptile and frog tanks if you can not find a source of anything else and it will work in a regular pot by itself easy to pour around roots ect....

Then simply sit it in a contained that will allow the pot to sit a inch or so of water .If you do put it in Hydrotron remember to put a layer of the hydrotron in the pot first deep enough that you do not place the roots all the way down where they will actually be in the water...you want them above the water level at the bottom to start with.If they start growing and go into the water thas fine as long as they grow into it themselves on their own.

THe temps of 70 daytime and 60 night are not that far off my phals stay in a room that in winter is never more than that and bloom and grow well all winter.

I suggest the hydrotron because at the moment it will prevent truly overwatering and will still allow you to water enough without fear of staying soggy to rehydrate this plant....if you need to keep it warmer for a while try in the kitchen on top the fridge that is usually a warmer spot dur to the fridge running and heat coming up from around it.....or beside the fridge on the counter with a light over it.