Petals drooping and wrinkly/dark roots

[Lacie]

I would water now, especially since your roots were already dehydrated. If you used the bark straight from the bag without rinsing it was definitely dry.

[springblooms2]

Ok I watered it when you said to.

It has been three days and I felt the bark again and it feels slightly damp.

Some of the roots look okay but some of them look bad. A few of the petals are still wilting.

Is there anything else I can do? Or does it just take time?

I have attached a few pictures of the roots.

Thanks so much for your help!

[Roberta]

Orchids don't do anything fast Growing new roots will take several months. If the bark is still damp, perhaps one more day, then water well. You'll get the "feel" of the timing as this goes along. But patience...

[Lacie]

Yes, as Roberta says, just be diligent about watering at the right times and be patient. The dried out roots won't get better, but the decent roots will get water to the plant and it will eventually begin making new roots.

As for the petals, wilted petals also won't recover. Your plant was stressed and dehydrated so it will likely drop all its flowers to focus on producing new roots. Enjoy them while the last. Eventually they will all wilt and fall off. When this happens, cut the flower spike off, and just wait. Once your plant has established itself with new roots, it will bloom again!

[springblooms2]

Okay I will work on patience.

Also, what are flower spikes?

Thanks!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by springblooms2

Okay I will work on patience.

Also, what are flower spikes?

Thanks!

The flower spike is the the part(stem) that the flowers come out of. Personally, I am in no rush to cut those once the flowers drop... orchids are really efficient, and they "recycle" the tissue from that part that they don't need any more once the flowers are done- unless it's really in the way, you can leave it alone until it turns brown and crunchy. (Especially with few good roots, that extra "energy source" can benefit the plant.)