I need help please

[Julieh]

Hi, I am a complete novice with a dying orchid. I have read through some posts and I am lost. My orchid was looking well up until three days ago, I was really happy as the buds had dropped and on that stalk two new babies, keiki I think are growing. It's leaves are now going yellow and falling off, I have checked and I can't find any nice roots on my main plant. I would really like to save the new plants so can some one please advise me, I have what is left of the plant resting on wood shaving, slightly damp, is that ok or do I need to do something else? Please help

[Leafmite]

I like to root young plants in NZ sphagnum moss. For some reason, the stuff really seems to promote rooting. Hope that helps you.
Over-watering is a big cause of rootlessness in orchids. I think nearly everyone has over-watered an orchid at one time or another and ended up with a complete lack of roots.

[WhiteRabbit]

Are there any roots on the keikis?

[james mickelso]

Leave the keikis on the plant as long as possible. What is left of the plant will transfer energy to them until all moisture is gone from the tissue. It won't hurt them a bit. Leave them on until the leaves are wrinkled and thin. Even though the plant no longer has roots the leaves are where the plant stores energy and moisture. Without roots at least 1/2 an inch long, the keikis won't have enough moisture and nutrients stored in their tissue to create root mass.

[Julieh]

Thank you for all your help, the keikis don't look to have roots, but one looks as if may be growing one or I may just be being optimistic. I have got some orchid fertiliser today - NPK as in one of the threads, I have damped some new orchid chipping stuff and laid what is left of my plant on it with a propergator top over it. Hopefully I have it in the right place, warmish room in indirect sunlight. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for roots. If I'm doing anything wrong please let me know, as for the moss leafmite, couldn't find any in my local garden centre, will keep trying further afield, thank you everyone 👍

[Laserbeak]

I don't really know the answer ( I WISH I DID !!!!), it just seems some orchids just decide to drop dead once you buy them, while similar ones in the same environment thrive. I can't explain it.