Dried out roots - is there hope?
 

I was at a plant store the other day and there was a bin full of orchid divisions for a couple bucks each. I couldn't help it and took home three (I think two are cattleyas and the other might be an oncidium).

However, my guess is they all have been unpotted for quite some time... the roots were pretty much all completely dried out and dead - the outer parts were coming off revealing the stringy part inside. Two of them looked like they had little new roots starting to grow but the third didn't. Do these guys have any hope of survival? Their leaves are still green and non-wilty, if a little banged up looking from being in the bin.

What could I do to help them out? I potted them all and watered and that's all I've done so far (I did cut off the dead roots, though they don't have much to anchor themselves with now)

Thanks!

Do you have photos? That would be quite helpful. If there's really not much in the way of roots, I (and some others here) have had success with water culture to encourage new root growth. Are there new growths on any of them? Old growths on Catts and Oncs will never produce new roots, so the only way to get some new roots is if there are new growths.

plants with psuedobulbs stand a fair chance I think - try to keep them warm and humid if possible

Would anyone suggest a Sphag and Bag ? ? ? :D Just curious....

As long as the leaves are not wilted they should be fine.

I have no experience with spagh and bag. But if you don't own a greenhouse with a reasonably high humidity it's something you should try.

Try just misting till you see some new growth, the orchids can't take up much water now, so you run a good chance of overwatering. Keep them warm, in a bright spot, and misted for atleast three weeks.

The issue is not so much the roots on divisions like this,but a question of do you see good eyes?I have took old back bulbs with no roots at all and got them to grow ....smaller new growth of course but they did sprout and grow.I Actually had to use hot glue to attach them to the rim of the pot to stand up and they need lots of misting and a good soak once or twice a week untill a new roots emerge from the new growths.

You might make a tonic of a tablespoon each of liquid seaweed, epsom salts, sugar or molasses, drinking alcohol, a crushed centrum or vitamin with minerals, and a few drops of Superthrive or KLn in two quarts of tepid water, and soak the plant, roots and all, for several hours. When you take the plant out, wrap it in a damp towel and leave it overnight in a warm place. In the morning run under warm water to remove any residue. This revive tonic is also good when plants come in the mail.