What are we? Genus type ID of very sad orchids

[zonepusher]

These are a few of the neglected "freebies" that I was given last weekend. Hopefully I can nurture them back to health if its possible. Some are in really sad shape but all have new growth and roots. They ALL need to be re-potted and will be done as soon as I find out what they are (will look at AOS culture sheets). The previous caretaker also stated they had NEVER been fed. There are several Phals, 1 Phrag, a few miniature Catts that I know the type but not the name. Hopefully these can get possible names if and when they bloom. Please excuse the poor quality.
Andi

[tom499]

They just look thirsty in my view. give them all a good soak in rain water and see how they go for a week.

[zonepusher]

I soaked them the day I got them and probably need to do it again as these are in bark. They are in the shade under the Plumeria trees. Most are doing ok but there were a few that were so rotted that they had to be re potted. Some had a little sunburn and a few had insects. I just need to know WHAT they are so I know how to care for them.
Andi

[Ellen]

Looks like you've got at least one cattleya and some oncidiums - not sure if there is anything else. It's kind of hard to tell from the pics and given the condition of the plants. Some of them look like they're lying sideways in the pots, and all are badly dehydrated. Personally, I probably wouldn't bother with them since I'm not into running a nursing home/hospice for orchids. However, if you really want to try to save them, take them out of the pots and soak the roots for a couple of days in a solution of Superthrive and a little fertilizer. (probably Jerry would say to use worm tea, others might recommend other remedies - it doesn't much matter as long as they get some water, nourishment, and stimulation to revive the roots). Once the roots are rehydrated as much as possible, trim off any dead ones and repot the plants into appropriate size pots (the smallest that will hold the roots) and appropriate medium. Fine bark mix or a sphag-perlite mix for the oncidiums, large bark mix for the catts would be conventional choices. Good luck with your resuscitation experiment!

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by zonepusher

These are a few of the neglected "freebies" that I was given last weekend. Hopefully I can nurture them back to health if its possible. Some are in really sad shape but all have new growth and roots. They ALL need to be re-potted and will be done as soon as I find out what they are (will look at AOS culture sheets). The previous caretaker also stated they had NEVER been fed. There are several Phals, 1 Phrag, a few miniature Catts that I know the type but not the name. Hopefully these can get possible names if and when they bloom. Please excuse the poor quality.
Andi

Hi zonepusher,

From left to right you have:
1) a Dendrobium
2) a Cattleya-type
3) an Oncidium-type
4) I can't tell from this pic, can you post another, especially one showing the pseudobulbs?
5) another Oncidium-type

None of them are Phals or Phrags. That should get you going as far as knowing which culture sheets to look at. If you haven't picked up Ortho's All About Orchids, look for it. It is the single best, clear, concise book on basic orchid care I have found to date. Get these guys repotted and into the care they like and post some pics when they bloom for you, but keep in mind that given the number and variability of orchid hybrids, precise identification will be next to impossible.

Happy Growing!

[zonepusher]

These 5 are 5 of 24 that I received. The Phals I can ID type as I have others of the same. The single Phrag is a Cape Sunset or at least thats what its tag says. The miniature Catts are also tagged.

I will do as you have all suggested and rehydrate for a few days.

I also love a challenge and won't give up until the last glimmer of hope has faded.
Thanks for the help and advice.

I will take another picture of the 4th one. Someone suggested that it MIGHT be a type of vanda.
Andi

[zonepusher]

How much fertilizer should be added since these have NEVER been fed?

I have contacted Fred about doing a Orchid Nursing Home post to keep everyone updated on the progress, or lack there of of the individual orchids. He has graciously allowed me to do this. Hopefully with the forums help they will all survive.....even the really bad Andree Millar dendrobium. This one has hardly any roots but it does have a tiny new shoot. The majority of the roots fell off in a clump when I gently rinsed it.
Andi

Can one make worm tea from compost/dirt in the worms used for fishing? I don't have any worm farms close and the shipping is pretty high to make ordering worth while.

[kmarch]

Given the stressed state of your plants I would not fertilize them at all now unless it were wiht somethign weak like worm tea. It looks like some of the plants have a fair bit of root damage so any fertilizer will remainin the pot and not be taken up by the plants. I'd hold off on fertilizing until the plants were re-established and growing new roots.

I actually don't think it is a problem that they have never been fed. I'm not as keen on fertilizing as some folks are and I rarely fertilize, but I've noticed no appreciable difference in not fertilizing.

[Lucinda Brown]

They look like they all need repotting & straightening up.I personally think that a good soak in 'superthrive' wouldn't hurt before repotting.It has a root stimulator in it and has done wonders for some sick plants I've received in the past.Good luck!

[CathyG]

The first two pics appear to be dendrobiums, the third is a cat, in my opinion. I have an orchid similar to the 4th pic that is a miltonia and the last appears to be an oncidium.

[CathyG]

Actually, judging by pseudobulbs and root system, last appears to be an oncidium intergeneric. I have a very leafy one like the 4th pic and mine is a miltonia

[kmarch]

Hi Cathy, I see your're relatively new to the forum so welcome. I identified the orchids in my post above:

1) a Dendrobium
2) a Cattleya-type
3) an Oncidium-type
4) I can't tell from this pic, can you post another, especially one showing the pseudobulbs?
5) another Oncidium-type

The second one is definitely a Cattleya of some type, probably a bifoliate hybrid. The third is an Oncidium alliance plant, notice the thin roots. I suspect it may be a Brassia but won't be able to tell until it blooms. The 4th is difficult to ID because a number of different types of orchids have grassy leaves like that. Miltonias, cymbidiums, even some Paphs and Phrags have narrow grassy leaves. We need to see more details of the plant to give a positive ID on that one, especially since we can't really see the pseudobulbs.

Cheers,