how long can a plant stay without media?
 

I desperately need to repot my Den and several Phals. I've been using moss and decided to switch to s/h, but until it's shipped to me, my orchids are crying for help. I'm really temped to remove the moss (which is damp and awful looking) and leave the roots exposed until I get my s/h. Any advice as to whether or not that's safe? Thanks :biggrin:

I can't comment on the Dens, but I had a phal in my 'ICU' with bare roots for about a month and a half (I was dunking the remaining roots two or three times a day to keep them plump). It's now in a pot with bark and growing nicely :)

If you have a NOID Den hybrid that is in the section Phalaenanthe, they are actually lithophytic orchids, you can grow them in perlite, pumice, sandstone, diatomite, stalite, or lava rocks w/o problems. If you have any of these materials, you could try using these until the s/h materials come along.

I've done this with Phals when I thought the existing medium would do more harm than good.

I was dunking the roots every day (twice a day if it was hot). It seemed to work, was like that a couple of months and then was potted up.

Not tried it with Dens, but I think the key would be keeping their roots humid enough. I've heard of people wrapping them in newspaper.

I know some growers ship them bare root. I've got a feeling they wrap in newspaper to do that.

What about vase culture? I've been wondering if anyone has tried this for other orchids besides the vandaceous ones. The vase would keep the roots moist in between soakings.

Do you have "new" root growth on these plants?
Joann

I've got new roots on the Phals, but not the Den. It seems to be struggling, which is why I'm so anxious to get rid of the moss.

You certainly can just give 'em some fresh moss for however long it takes to get your other media.

Also, if they're not already dehydrated (shriveled, wrinkled) then they would be fine for quite a while, especially if loosely covered with plastic (cheap humidity trap) and put in a lower-light spot for the meantime.

:agree: with the feedback you have had. Whichever growing/temporary medium you use/or not .. depends on your growing conditions . The important thing is to make sure your roots & leaves continue to grow and look 'good'. I change my watering schedule sometimes for a plant when I see It needs more water for example.. depending on the humidity at the roots especially (in my conditions; indoors)
I hope this helps you figure out how to get your plant going again. Keep us posted.