Is my orchid dead??

[redlucy24]

Was given an orchid centerpiece at a wedding on the 24th of June but I think Ive killed it! I have no idea what it is but the flowers were white and the leaves were a dark green. The leaves have since fallen off. I have photos but I have no idea how to attach them.

[redlucy24]

Looking thru images online it looks like my orchid is a white phaleonopsis...if that helps at all

[dounoharm]

if all the leaves have fallen off, chances are it is dead.....go buy a new one and try again....gl

[Dendian]

Hi redlucy,

You will need to post 5 times before you can attach photos. You can say something on other threads, or just post 3 more posts on this thread - then you can attach them by going to the advanced button on the reply box and using the paperclip at the top to download your photos.

However - from your description - it sounds like a Phal with no leaves. That is not a good sign - because they usually grow new leaves from the top center - and they are prone to getting rot in that center. If the center is mushy - then chances are you are right sorry.

If there is any firm growth in the center - and you have any leaves at all there is a chance.

[redlucy24]

Thank you dounoharm and Dendian

[redlucy24]

Pictures are attached. Crossing fingers that theres hope. Thanks!

[Dendian]

Oooooh, that looks very bad. I don't see any leaves at all, can you get a picture of where they were attached? The stem also appears dried up and yellow - so something is wrong further down.

It appears to be potted in a decorative container with no holes - something that is a sure way to kill an orchid that likes air on its roots. I think you will have to remove the plant from the container to see what is going on... but it doesn't look good right now.

[Musika]

It looks like the bottom of the spikes are still green. I would cut off the brown parts of the spike, put cinnamon on the cut parts, and baby it. I'm still new to growing orchids so I am not sure if it will do okay with no leaves, but no hurt in trying to see if it will make it. You could repot it too and check the roots to see what they look like. If there are some healty ones left it might make it, maybe. Thats just what I would do. Maybe someone with more experience will answer you soon.

[redlucy24]

Dendian & Musika,
More photos attached

[Dendian]

Well, you have nothing to loose... you can cut the spike down to where it is green (above two growth nodes) and see if your plant creates a baby (keiki) at either the base or on the stem. With no leaves like that it's hard to say what it will do.

I am sort of surprised that that the leaf area looks brown and dried - and not black and mushy.

If you can take it out of the pot, remove most of that packed-in moss and replant loosely in a clear plastic pot and let the roots get some light it might create enough food to keep it alive while it makes up its mind what it wants to do.

Good Luck...

Oh, you might want to get another Phal to keep it company while it makes up its mind.. and one you can enjoy?

[terra_australis]

I think I'm going to be sick

[syndywindy]

Hi, welcome to the forum! My guess is you overwatered your orchid. The sphag looks totally soaked and that is not a good thing for orchid roots. They need good air around them and tightly packed, soaked sphag is not a good thing. I would pull away all the sphag and see what is left of the roots. If they are all black and mushy they are rotted. Even if there are a couple good roots, this is a long term project to get it to where it would bloom again. NOt saying it wouldn't happen, but my suggestion would be to go pick out another orchid to care for as you try to bring this one back.

[redlucy24]

The longest roots are yellow & the shorter roots are green, but the tips of all of them are dark or black.

[redlucy24]

I removed the sphag, cut the spike down to where it is green, and placed it in a clear bowl. Should I also put cinnamon on the cut parts? How much water do I give it?

[NewGrower]

Dab cinnamon on the open cuts.... I would try a sphag and bag trick.... Get a damp paper towel in a clear baggie then cut a few holes in the bag. Just place it outside in the shade, NOT direct sunlight!

[Dendian]

Well, I would put it in a plastic pot - not a clear bowl - it won't want to sit in water.

The Yellow (firm) and green roots are alive. The tips being black means they are not growing - probably because they didn't have any air and suffocated.

I don't think the sphag and bag trick will work for this one - it has roots - but no leaves.

You can re-use that pot it was in if you don't have another clear pot. I would take the lighter (newer) moss from the bottom and put it lightly around the roots that are left. If you can put those roots up against the sides of the pot they can get some light and that will help. You will want to water only when the moss is almost dry - a bamboo skewer helps to tell when to water (skewer method). If it looks wet - then don't water - if it doesn't look wet but still feels cool - then you can water it. Be very careful not to get water in the folded brown leaves - crown rot is the last thing you will want. Water from the sides - or put the pot in a bigger bowl with water and let it soak it up from the bottom. If the center is still alive it may put out a new leaf.

Good Luck!

[occ2405]

Hello, I had the same experience, i over watered one, it was left with no leafs, i didn't water it for weeks and then a keike started to emerge from the very bottom of the plant try it and good look!!!