Severely dehydrated orchids – can they be saved (part II)
 

My so-called set up for the past two weeks:
I wasn't sure what to do, so I've tried to create a miniature greenhouse for them at my workplace. I leave them in front of an East facing window (my co-worker's phals grow great in his office that face the same direction).

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They are in plastic cups filled with water and an upturned net pot or tin foil ball keeps both orchid pots resting well above the water. I don't have the Stellamizutaara potted in anything - just resting in its empty pot.

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I've watered them twice a week (once with water, and once with a less than a 1/4 tsp of seaweed extract to a 4 oz cup). I leave the covers on during the day and remove them at night so they can breathe. However, all the covers do have a hole at the top for a little ventilation during the day.

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A plant with no medium around them to hold and deliver moisture will need to be watered more than twice a week.

Your photos don't really show us the issue, but assuming they're dehydrated, try a bare-root, overnight soak to start. Adding a decent root-growth stimulant to the soak water can also help.

Depending upon the specifics of your seaweed extract, it might or might not be a fertilizer, and you could be under- or overdosing it, potentially stifling root growth. Share some brand and formula details and maybe we can help more.

If you're trying to rehydrate the plants, forget about fertilizer for the moment. It will not help that, and may actually hurt.

Thanks, Ray for your reply I used growmore seaweed extract which I keep refrigerated. I’ve read your responses to others about how seaweed extract can become ineffective if not stored properly. I hope refrigeration slows the process. I made a previous thread with the same title (part I). I couldn’t put all the pics in one thread so broke it up into two separate ones. The part I thread shows the actual orchids themselves. I hope you can help. Thanks!

---------- Post added at 05:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:09 AM ----------

I’ll have to add the info to a reply in the previous thread when I get to work (pics are saved on my computer there). For some reason the post is gone from that thread

I don't remember which orchids you have. Cattleya hybrid seedlings dry out much faster than mature plants; they do fine when healthy in typical building humidity, but need frequent (often daily) watering. Moving sick seedlings suddenly to an extremely high humidity environment is asking for fungus trouble. I might suggest the long soak Ray recommended, a less closed environment, and more regular watering.

To rehydrate dried out orchids, it is fine to soak for 3-18 hours, so long as you let them dry afterwards. This is a useful trick for all kinds of plants. It's not a good idea to soak longer, because most plants can't breathe under water, and they need to carry out gas exchange every day.

Thanks, estacion seca (can I call you that?)!

I've read both Ray's and your posts on other threads so I know you both know your stuff. I've gotten around to posting part I of this thread (with the photos of the actual survivors). I will put the Stellamizutaara in a good soak and drying tonight when I get home. Is it safe to do it every other day if she's kept at home. The humidity around my area runs roughly 70% - 75%.

Thanks again!

I couldn't see the part I photos earlier, but can now.

What I see are plants with no roots, with the new growths being a last-ditch attempt by the plants to stay alive.

If those were mine, I'd get a GOOD root growth stimulant, unpot and soak the plants overnight, then pot them up in fresh potting medium, move them to very warm and shady conditions, and cover them with clear plastic bags inverted over the plants and pots, to maximize the RH.

If they have no, or severely damaged roots, I agree with Ray.

Ray & Estacion

Thank you for all your input! Ray - I’ve just put in my order for kelpmax (thank God you offer free/reasonable shipping to Hawaii since I’ve had some online places charge an astronomical amount just for Hawaii shipping!). Until my order comes in, is it okay for me to start soak/dry process for both plants to get them started on rehydration?

Yeah, "free" is pretty reasonable, isn't it?

Soaking a few hours followed by complete drying is a good thing. Repeating that is better.

Follow the instructions provided with the KelpMax.

Hi Ray,
Free is definitely better! But even anywhere less than $15 is reasonable to me. I've refused to order from some knitting shops because they charge a flat $45 for shipping to Hawaii regardless of how little or big my order is.

Severely dehydrated orchids - can they be saved (update)
 

Just wanted to give an update. I ordered Kelpmax and did the soak/dry method. Did a 2-3 times. Sadly, the stellamizutaara didn't make it. I actually had thrown the psychopsis away then had second thoughts. Started snipping through all the dead dried roots and look what I found!
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Looks like there’s hope! Good luck 👍