I need help with my orchid!! 😞
I got this orchid a few months ago I believe it was—and it had been planted in a really hard substance that I had decided to repot it out of and into bark. Ever since then, it’s went way downhill and all of its roots died and were cut off and now it looks like this 😞. I feel so disappointed and I would love to know if there’s a way to bring her back, and what steps to take! And maybe if it is salvageable, would adding moss in the mix fix it? And what could I do until then? #PlantAddict #NewGrowth #OrchidLovers #PhalaenopsisOrchid #Phalaenopsis #Orchid #helpneeded #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantCorner #TheWateringHole
0ft to light, indirect
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 2 months ago
22
Replant your plant in a fresh orchid potting mix. You can also buy ‘plant food’ specifically for orchids or root re/growth. There are many supplements for root growth. I hope this helps and I’m sure others at #TheWateringHole would love to give a few other suggestions.
@pinkmilk @maci.in.bloom @MamaLinne I hate to be a banshee of gloom, but can you do me a favor and tell me if this area is squishy at all? I’m usually all for trying to save anything I can, but unfortunately stem rot is no joke. If it is rotten there…I don’t know what to say except you can try again with a new orchid. Try to figure out what went wrong the first time.
If it is completely firm there and not squishy or rotten there, then here’s what I recommend:
NO fertilizer or plant food. When a plant is in distress, they are not able to take in any nutrients and it can burn them.
HIGH humidity. There are no roots to speak of, so you’re going to want to put your orchid in a clear plastic bin or ziplock bag with only lightly lightly damp sphagnum moss that’s had all the moisture squeezed out of it, and then fluffed up so it’s not compressed at all. I make a little bed of sphagnum, lightly wrap some around the root area as well, and leave them be in a stable environment, for them to recover. The high humidity will give them a break so they don’t need to work so hard to regrow roots.
OR, you can also balance the leaves over a glass with a couple inches of water, and place that in a humidity box. You don’t want the root area to actually touch the water. With this technique the orchid will sense the water below and try to grow roots to reach it.
If it is completely firm there and not squishy or rotten there, then here’s what I recommend:
NO fertilizer or plant food. When a plant is in distress, they are not able to take in any nutrients and it can burn them.
HIGH humidity. There are no roots to speak of, so you’re going to want to put your orchid in a clear plastic bin or ziplock bag with only lightly lightly damp sphagnum moss that’s had all the moisture squeezed out of it, and then fluffed up so it’s not compressed at all. I make a little bed of sphagnum, lightly wrap some around the root area as well, and leave them be in a stable environment, for them to recover. The high humidity will give them a break so they don’t need to work so hard to regrow roots.
OR, you can also balance the leaves over a glass with a couple inches of water, and place that in a humidity box. You don’t want the root area to actually touch the water. With this technique the orchid will sense the water below and try to grow roots to reach it.
@maci.in.bloom @MamaLinne @DreamMachine @PlantAgenet117 I greatly appreciate everybody’s help, thank you so so much! <3
@DreamMachine I tried squishing that part with my nail, and unfortunately it does seem to squish in some when I do. If I can add a video, I’ll try to add one to this post! (Edit): I tried and I only see the option to add photos! But it does seem to press in when I press on it. Do you think that means it’s rotted? And if so, is it just a lost plant?
@pinkmilk @MamaLinne @maci.in.bloom Hi Taylor, I’m so sorry. That is stem rot, and a pretty final nail in the coffin for an orchid.
I DO have a last ditch, Hail Mary plan, for you though. It is possible the stem rot has not climbed up high enough for 💀 💀 yet. You might be able to grow more roots from the top if you chop off the base, ABOVE where that stem rot is. I marked a line where you can try to chop. The X on that one leaf means that leaf should probably fall off when you make the chop. the bottom left leaf might also go, that’s ok 👍
Then, look inside the top section’s stem…do you see only pale to bright green healthy stem? Then it’s possible you can reroot that top section! 🙌
However, if you see any dark bits or areas that look mushy in the top section’s stem, then it is already dead, I’m afraid 😔 Feel free to ask me anything along the way. I love rehabbing orchids ☺️
I DO have a last ditch, Hail Mary plan, for you though. It is possible the stem rot has not climbed up high enough for 💀 💀 yet. You might be able to grow more roots from the top if you chop off the base, ABOVE where that stem rot is. I marked a line where you can try to chop. The X on that one leaf means that leaf should probably fall off when you make the chop. the bottom left leaf might also go, that’s ok 👍
Then, look inside the top section’s stem…do you see only pale to bright green healthy stem? Then it’s possible you can reroot that top section! 🙌
However, if you see any dark bits or areas that look mushy in the top section’s stem, then it is already dead, I’m afraid 😔 Feel free to ask me anything along the way. I love rehabbing orchids ☺️
@MamaLinne great advice. This is what happened to me before I knew that I was supposed to put my orchids in bark. I lost all my roots. She is now twice the size she was when that happened.
@DreamMachine *looks at photos*
*notice no roots*
*notice stem rot*
*scroll through comments*
🧐😳🤨😬🤯😮💨
TY for being a voice of reason here
*notice no roots*
*notice stem rot*
*scroll through comments*
🧐😳🤨😬🤯😮💨
TY for being a voice of reason here
@smushface 😂 I do what I can. 🫡🌺🌸🌼 (also we are seriously overdue for an orchid emoji. C’mon people! ⏱️)
@DreamMachine I appreciate your help with my orchid so much, I’m so sorry for the late response! Life has been so busy lately!
Do you mean that I cut the bottom part of the leaves off and dispose of the bottom base part, with the leaf that seems to be attached to it? (Which something I notice while looking at my orchid, it had a new leaf coming in but now that tiny leaf has some dark coloring and is extremely flimsy. Is that stem rot? And if so, is it too far to be saved? 😞
Do you mean that I cut the bottom part of the leaves off and dispose of the bottom base part, with the leaf that seems to be attached to it? (Which something I notice while looking at my orchid, it had a new leaf coming in but now that tiny leaf has some dark coloring and is extremely flimsy. Is that stem rot? And if so, is it too far to be saved? 😞
@DreamMachine yesss, I’ve already thought about that—we’re definitely way overdue for an orchid emoji!!
@pinkmilk aw bummer. Up close, that doesnt look good. I’m sorry 😞 I’ll tag @smushface for a second opinion, but I think your orchid is most likely already 💀 💀 From the first picture with the other side view it looks like the stem rot is up too high already to save it.
But for future reference, yes. I was suggesting just that; to chop off the base and leaf that your thumb and finger are holding. Then you can try to reroot after checking the inside of the stem for rot. You can still do this, to make sure, if you would like.
Also, no apologies needed! Life is life-ing for all of us 🤪
But for future reference, yes. I was suggesting just that; to chop off the base and leaf that your thumb and finger are holding. Then you can try to reroot after checking the inside of the stem for rot. You can still do this, to make sure, if you would like.
Also, no apologies needed! Life is life-ing for all of us 🤪
@DreamMachine Awhh, that’s definitely so disappointing! But it seemed like maybe it was coming anyway, because for some reason that orchid seemed to go downhill for me since first getting it and my other orchids definitely didn’t go down and so fast like that one! I greatkt appreciate your help so much, and thank you for tagging somebody else for a second opinion as well! I appreciate everything :)
@pinkmilk I know, I’m sorry 😢 I wish I had better news! But keep it up. Get another orchid, keep trying! Sometimes you can figure out what went wrong, but sometimes it’s out of your control, and the orchid had already been over/under-watered one too many times, or weakened in someway way before it came into your care. 🤷♀️ The more observations you make, the better you become. And you can always tag me and my fellow orchid lovers for any future questions you might have! @smushface @MusicalRedmint @MariansOasis
@pinkmilk @DreamMachine @smushface completely 💯 agree with Nadia @DreamMachine and all her points of view. When I saw the last pic of the crown, the wilting leaves on top, plus the lack of current roots, it was a 🪦 vote from me. Yes, there’s always an opportunity to do something to try and save a rootless orchid BUT the time, energy, constant second guessing or adjusting to the latest issue really doesn’t make for enjoyment. Phals are inexpensive, this one was potted in something no good & as Nadia said probably overwatered. So give yourself a hug for trying. Send your orchid to the great landfill/compost in the sky! 🌌 ♻️ 😇 🪴and get yourself something pretty with the money you saved 🌸🩷💚🥰
@MariansOasis @DreamMachine thank you guys so much for taking the time to respond and help me, I seriously appreciate it so much!! 🤍
