Last minute mother's day orchid..
I received this as a mother's day gift, so I've had it about 3 weeks. It was purchased from the grocery store, the day before mother's day, so let's say less than stellar quality of care. When I first got it the top was dry but there were mushy roots growing from the bottom hole. I immediately clipped those roots but didn't search further since it otherwise appeared healthy after watering. Flash forward to today when I pulled out the growing pot and could see visibly yellowed and flat roots through the pot. Once I got in there I realized how bad it really was, and this mound of dirt was the culprit. Right under the leaves at the initial root stem was what looked like a pack of straight soil. It seems like they just left the starter mix when they repotted and it held all the water and rotted the roots from the source ! She lost a lot of roots and is now drying out until I can get fresh orchid mix later. Any suggestions on what else I can do to help her recover? And has anyone else experienced this wet dirt issue?
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 3 years ago
2
grocery stores around me always have the most beautiful plants,,, until you take that stupid paper wrapper off the pot and see that it’s been overwatered for weeks, the soil is mushy, there’s roots growing out the bottom, and it somehow survived that! but you js have to take matters into your own hands and take care the best you know how!
Before re-potting, let the roots soak in black tea for a few hours or overnight. Orchids thrive on tannic acid - found this tip on You Tube. Worked miracles on a rescued orchid that was in really bad shape!