rescuiong orchids - Orchid Board

angelaaloisio · #1 08-19-2008, 01:07 AM

I'm totally new to orchids. I'm trying to rescue one, but know nothing about them. The flower is bright white with yellow in the middle. There were two green leaves at the bottom but they fell aff about a week ago after watering the plant. Now what would be where the leaves are is brown like it is dying or dead. Some of the roots have also turned from green to brown. I don't know how to tell if the plant is still alive or not. Please let me know
Thank you
Angela

lambelkip · #2 08-19-2008, 01:14 AM

post a picture if you can, maybe somebody can identify it and let you know if it's still alive. from what you've said, it's probably dead or well on it's way there. is the flower still on it? or did that fall off too?

angelaaloisio · #3 08-19-2008, 01:34 AM

flower still on it. how i post picture

lambelkip · #4 08-19-2008, 01:45 AM

click on gallery on the side bar, then click "upload photos" from the top right. upload it to the member's gallery. after you upload it, it will show you the image, with a little section that says "linked thumbnail" below it. copy that, and paste it into your message here.

angelaaloisio · #5 08-19-2008, 01:57 AM

here r the photos I have

justorchids · #6 08-19-2008, 02:19 AM

I can't really tell from your pic. But this is an experiment I did with my phals.
I would cut the flower spike and put it in vase so you can still enjoy the flowers. Then I suggest you repot the phal.
My whole thing start with when I moved to the NW last Dec. and have some friends go to my old home to care for my chids. Thanks to them most of them did better than when I care or them

Anyway, last month I have to move my 60+ chids to the NW with me cause I rented my house out.
Some phals decided to loose their leaves and some just died on me.

I have rescued two that have no leaves but with very healthy roots. So, I repot the phals in medium bark mix with its crown higher and buried only 2/3 of the roots. I water them with superthrive one a week and spray mist them at least once a day (when the temp is above 85) with good air circulation. After 3 weeks, they are showing new growth now.

I can't tell if it is a keiki

or root yet. I am so excited. I am no an expert but I would give it a try and who knows, maybe you have better luck than me.

quiltingwacko · #7 08-19-2008, 11:28 AM

That is a Phaleonopsis orchid. They like medium light and just the right amount of water, not too much, not too little. If the roots are green, then that is a good thing. If shriveled, need water. Too much water kills a phal. Ask me how I know this?

Yep I killed one. Usually people over water them when they are just starting out but I like to be different.

No direct sun for phals. If your potting medium is soaked, either repot, or let it dry out. Don't let the plant sit in water. Phals really are easy once you gain a little experience with them. Don't beat yourself up if it dies. Just buy yourself another. The blossoms are worth the effort expended to learn how to grow them!

Carol