Can I save it?

[Kohni]

Hello all!

This is my first post! I joined this forum because I want to save a Phalaenopsis that I got from my grandmothers house. She got it for her birthday last year in May. She passed away shortly after and this poor orchid has been sitting in her empty house only getting watered every few weeks.

It is still in the plastic cup it came in from the store. I can see the roots growing out of the cup and they are mostly dried up with just a few that are green. The plant has 2 leaves left on it, they are still green. They are pretty wrinkled though. The flower spike looks like a dried up stick. lol

Do you guys think it is savable? If so, how would I go about doin it?

Thanks!

[vcuchick]

Welcome!!!

I say go for it! (if you fail, you fail...but if you succeed, you have a nice heirloom plant and something wonderful to have from your grandma )

First off, the poor plant sounds like it's really, really, really dry...poor thing just needs some love!

Do you happen to know what kind of environment it was growing in? Like what direction the window faced? cold house or very warm? what type of pot? can you discribe the "stuff/potting medium" it's growing in?

Check out the AOS culture sheets for Phals (short hand for phalenopsis) Phals for the most part like to be kept in a humid environment so first thing I would do it get it onto a pebble tray, and start to give it routine waterings with weak- weekly fertilizer... See this link for a great way to control the watering of your plant...

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/orc...f-orchids.html

Phals do really well in an east facing window or south facing window- not the west though- I think that'll cook your leaves.

You can try Welcome to First Rays Orchids to order some root hormone fertilizer and that might help your orchid form new roots. Wait to repot until you have new leaves/roots forming so you don't stress the plant too much...

read everything here:
http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/orc...n-for-newbies/

this will be a good start. I also highly recommend the Miracle Gro Guide to Orchids- it's a great catch-all book for new orchid growers...read it in small doses though to keep your brain from exploding...

then, keep asking questions: Newbie Questions - Orchid Forum Orchid Care

Once you've posted on here half a donzen times, then you'll be able to post pictures of your plant which will help the "experts" on here help you make yourself into a better grower!

Good luck and happy growing!!!!

[paphman910]

Sounds like the Phalenopsis is in rough shape. I would take the plant out of the pot and trim all the dried roots and remove all the potting medium. Next, I would put the plant in a ziploc bag with a handfull of sphagnum moss that is moist but not too wet....(take a handfull of moss and squeeze out the excess water with your hand). Put the plant in a shady location until new roots sprout. Also keep an eye on the plant to see how it is doing!


PS: Don't waste your money on rooting hormone. Bottom line: If the plant is in poor shape root hormone won't do much!

Paphman910

[fred]

welcome to the forum
sorry to hear about your grandmother
nice of you to want to try and keep the orchid alive in her memory.
I hope this link helps you

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/orc...tructions.html

for better advice can you upload an attachment of a a photo to a post so we can see ?

[Fishmom]

Hello Kohni,
Welcome and best luck saving your "memorial" orchid. You will treasure it if you are successful!
Phals have a strong will to live, and if you have green roots at all, you have a good chance. Follow the guidance given above, don't over-water even though it is dehydrated, and you should see some new green forming soon.