I took this orchid from somebody that wanted to throw it in the trash. That happened 8 months ago and since then I'm trying to save her.
Note: it's my first orchid 😬
Long story short, first time I cleaned up the roots, there were 2 or 3 long roots left. I read on the internet that orchid can grow in water so I put her in water and left on a holiday for 2 weeks. When I came back there was a new tiny leaf growing and some new tiny roots at the base as well.
UNFORTUNATELY, I did the mistake to put her in an old orchid soil that I had left from previous usage. After one month I bought some new soil (for another orchid that I've got recently) and wanted to see how the roots are going and also maybe change the old soil with a fresh new one and the 2-3 long roots she had? Well .. they rotted. I tried to clean her as best as I could, but in the end everything was ruined and this is what's left of her. Almost nothing. I don't know what to do.
Please, if you have been through this situation what did you do? I will do everything to see her grow big and blossom.
by arachnidseve
3 Comments
There’s still hope. 🫶. I’ve read not to put them in water for long, but from what’s the just plop her in the new soil.
How often do you water
Get a 4″ clear orchid pot and a loose bark/moss mix (I use 65/20/15 bark chips/leca/long fiber sphagnum, you may need to adjust the ratios for your climate but the main thing is to get a mix that fully dries 5-7 days after soaking). Prop the plant on top, you’ll probably need a stake for it to lean on to keep it upright. Drape a shallow layer of more long fiber sphagnum (maybe 1/2″ deep) on top of the bark mix and over the shallow roots.
Water it once a week (or however long it takes the whole pot to fully dry) by soaking the pot for 15-30 minutes then letting the excess drain. Resist the temptation to wet the surface moss more often than that, the roots being able to sense moisture deeper in the pot below them is what will encourage them to grow.
It is definitely salvageable!! But it’s tricky, roots are so tiny and close to the crown that if you soak the roots there is a possibility that crown will rot = death for the orchid.
Maybe someone will give you a better advice but here is what I would do:
– get a small clear pot, good drainage holes on the bottom and wholes on side for cross ventilation.
– use leca (orchid bark or moss will hold moisture for far too long and you can risk crown rot)
– plant it in leca, but not too deep, crown needs to be above ground level. Mix some charcoal in leca too. The goal is to have roots grow out to follow moisture from leca.
– water / soak leca every few days and let it drain, this will produce moisture but keep it from rotting if it’s submerged in water.
– get one or two smaller glasses of water and just put the tip of the older leaves in the water.
– do not cover it or give it 100% humidity as it will rot the crown.
– give it lots of light and patience. When those roots she has are 3+ inches longer you can switch to orchid bark.
Monitor her growth and behavior. Method above is how I saved my orchid that had its crown endangered and close to rot.
You got this!