My phal ICU.

[Joyorchid]

After months of learning how to care for phals, and nearly killing a few in the process, I started a mini orchid ICU. Some of these were cheap aquisitions from grocery store clearance racks or friends who donated their sick phals.

So here it is: nearly all of them are in s/h and are on a seedling mat. They get watered every other day, fertilized every week and root hormone every 2 weeks. They are under t5 lights but about 3 1/2 ft below the bulbs on a 12 hour cycle, and their temp is about 75 to 80F with a humidity between 40 to 60%.

Many started putting out new roots when they went into s/h, some were a last ditch effort to save, but all but one are growing new roots and the majority are throwing new leaves.

Sigh. Maybe I will be an orchid grower after all!

What have you all found successful in bringing 'em back from the brink?

[Island Girl]

Sounds like its just right, if you have new roots and leaves growing. Time and patience.... and timing of your application of root-growth hormones, seems to do the trick! Good luck I think you're on the right track.

....I've used my laundry room too, it faces east behind a tree, has fluorescent lighting, and it's all white, so it gets just enough light for plants that need a lower dose.. and the dryer keeps it warm (along with a seedling mat) ...this was for recently deflasked seedlings tho, then they get moved to my porch.

[Purple_phal_gal13]

I've found keeping orchids on a heating mat helps with root growth.

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[WhiteRabbit]

[Joyorchid]

Thanks, Mary Ann for the vote of confidence. And I am planning on painting my laundry room white for a touch of brightness to the growing area.

Thanks to all for your comments!