Bad looking new orchid

[RockyTopReptiles]

Today I went to lowes to see what their selection of orchids was like, I found this one on the sad and pitiful rack. Should I repot this soon? It looks like they snipped the blooms off the top of the spike and just left the rest, it looks like its growing from the cut off part also. The leaves are very droopy and from what the employees were saying, it looks like it could be from the way they watered it, I was told that they water them everyday very good and the moss is soaking wet. The top portion of the mix is moss and the bottom is another type of soil. I picked up the All about orchids book today and in there it says I should repot it when it has 2 mediums, so should I? Do I leave the spike or does it need it be clipped.

Heres some pics of the orchid

[articuno75]

Definitely repot. I wouldn't be suprised if this has severe root damage. You can cut the spike back to the first node. This might initiate another growth from the spike. Be sure to presoak your new mix that you are going to use. New bark mixes don't retain moisture right off the bat and it take 1/2 day to 24 hours to set the media. I suggest Superthrive as well if the roots need a boost. Cut back on watering. The wrinkling on the leaves indicate overwatering. Nice rescue and good luck. Did you get a name on it by chance?

[BlakeeBoo]

Well i think you might as well leave the spike but as for repotting it i say go for it. It sounds like it has root rot so you need to buy some rooting gel. Get it sent over night to you. here is a link

Here is what you do if you really want to make sure it survives
1. order the rooting gel and overnight it to you
2. take the plant out of the pot and examine it for root rot let the plant sit on a surface it will not stick to and let the rotten roots dry out
3. apply the rooting gel to all healthy roots in access and were the roots come out of the plant
4. repot the plant applying more gel to the base of the plant
5. use a spray bottle to make the new potting medium wet(as so you do not wash away the gel)
6. wait and use the correct watering methods(continue to use the spray bottle method for 1-2 weeks)


Or you can just repot it and wait
the gel method will more likely have success but no guarantees

[RockyTopReptiles]

Originally Posted by articuno75

Did you get a name on it by chance?

Thanks for the help, the name on the tag says Phal Brother Little Yellowboy.

[exasperatus2002]

Originally Posted by RockyTopReptiles

Thanks for the help, the name on the tag says Phal Brother Little Yellowboy.

Heres a link to a pic of your new orchid. go down to the bottom of the page.
Champion Orchids Phals

[articuno75]

That will be an awesome orchid when you get it back to health. Mayres is the Phal caring champion on the forum. He'd know what to definitely do.

[Andrew]

Personally I'd cut the flower spike off completely and repot it. The plant is water stressed, no doubt,as others have said, due to a lack of roots. While it's certainly possible to rescue a plant like this you don't want any energy the plant needs to grow to be diverted towards producing flowers.

[janice]

I just bought Phal. Brother Little Yellowboy from a local Lowes.....it was in bloom and looked in pretty good shape....it is very pretty - I definitly did not need another orchid.........but I knew they would kill it if I did not buy it!!!! At least that was the excuse I told my husband. Definitly repot!!

[patticake]

Hi! I bought the same Phal about 3 mos. ago. It was done blooming and very soggy as well. Mine is starting to perk up. Better color, etc.. I've been keeping it barely moist all the time. I repotted mine in a bark mix that I soaked in worm tea. I mixed in a LITTLE sphag moss, thinking it needed to retain moisture a little better than my Cattleyas. Good luck, and keep us informed as to how it's doing!

[RockyTopReptiles]

I started soaking the new bark yesterday and I re-potted it today (around 16-17 hours of soaking), I mixed some pearlite in with the bark also. The roots are not as bad as I had thought, there were some rotted roots but most were still looking and felt good. The old soil was dripping wet and there was water just sitting in the bottom of the pot. Ill keep you all updated on its progress.

[BlakeeBoo]

thanks i have used my procedure only in extreme cases i thought the root rot would be a lot worse than it is