This orchid lost all of its leaves and most of the roots ...
3ft to light, indirect
5” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 year ago
2
@GiftedLentil75 Hello and welcome to Greg!
Take a look at these recommendations to revive your orchid.
It's unlikely that an orchid will flower without leaves, but it might grow a new crown if it has good roots.
Explanation
Dormancy
After blooming, orchids typically go dormant, which means they won't grow new leaves or show new growth.
Leaf loss
As an orchid ages, it's normal for the older leaves at the bottom to fall off. The plant will prioritize new growth.
Sunlight
Orchids need the right amount of sunlight to make enough carbohydrates to grow and bloom.
Watering
Overwatering can cause the roots to rot, which can make it difficult for the plant to flower.
Reviving an orchid
Prune and repot: Pruning and repotting can encourage blooming.
Water and light: Make sure the orchid is getting the right amount of water and light.
Reduce watering and fertilizer: During dormancy, reduce watering and fertilizer.
Stress the plant: Stress the plant by allowing it to dry out a little and placing it in a cooler room at night.
Take a look at these recommendations to revive your orchid.
It's unlikely that an orchid will flower without leaves, but it might grow a new crown if it has good roots.
Explanation
Dormancy
After blooming, orchids typically go dormant, which means they won't grow new leaves or show new growth.
Leaf loss
As an orchid ages, it's normal for the older leaves at the bottom to fall off. The plant will prioritize new growth.
Sunlight
Orchids need the right amount of sunlight to make enough carbohydrates to grow and bloom.
Watering
Overwatering can cause the roots to rot, which can make it difficult for the plant to flower.
Reviving an orchid
Prune and repot: Pruning and repotting can encourage blooming.
Water and light: Make sure the orchid is getting the right amount of water and light.
Reduce watering and fertilizer: During dormancy, reduce watering and fertilizer.
Stress the plant: Stress the plant by allowing it to dry out a little and placing it in a cooler room at night.
From what you say I think it's highly unlikely. While they can, with good care, survive the loss of even all roots, and can sometimes produce offshoots in the case of a destroyed crown (as far as I know though, they can't regrow one), all of this takes energy that has to come from somewhere. Since the roots are destroyed, it cannot take in water that way. Since there are no leaves, they cannot take in water via the humidity in the air and, what's even worse, have lost almost all their reserves of energy that are stored in the leaves. My best guess is, that the orchid put out that growth on the spike, at the first sign it got stressed. Once you are certain it is a bloom, and there is somehow even the slightest chance the plant might survive (which, again, i don't think it will), cut it. Immediately. Blooms aren't necessary to survive and cost a lot of energy. However, with luck what it is growing there, aren't new flowers but rather an offshoot (called a keiki). Wait a bit and look for roots or leafy growth instead of buds. In that case, with even more luck, if the motherplant has enough energy left to grow it to the point that the keiki can support itself, maybe with your help, you might still save an offshoot of the original plant. But that's a big if, though those 2-3 roots might help, if the stem is still healthy.
Do you have pictures of the hole plant? Maybe it looks better than I think from your description.
Errhm... as for the rest, even if that might not be relevant to your situation:
phals are never really dormant. After the bloom the new roots soon come in and the leaves start to grow. It's the most important time for vegetative growth. Most dormant plants shouldn't be watered or fertilized during dormancy (and even lose their foliage). Phals very much should be watered. And fertilized with an orchid specific fertilizer. That is an important distinction.
And I guess, when talking about pruning, we are talking about root pruning, or rather tidying up the roots, removing dead ones. Don't stress the plant on purpose. However, balanced wet and dry cycles (watering, when the roots are turning silver) are a good way to prolong the time between repots and it helps to prevent overwatering. And cooler temperatures signal to the plant that is time to bloom. I wouldn't call it starting the orchid, though, unless you overdo it.
Again, all not really relevant to your situation, I know, but maybe for the future or for possible quiet readers of this post.
Good luck, and if you post a picture in the comments and tag me, I might be able to assess the situation better.
Do you have pictures of the hole plant? Maybe it looks better than I think from your description.
Errhm... as for the rest, even if that might not be relevant to your situation:
phals are never really dormant. After the bloom the new roots soon come in and the leaves start to grow. It's the most important time for vegetative growth. Most dormant plants shouldn't be watered or fertilized during dormancy (and even lose their foliage). Phals very much should be watered. And fertilized with an orchid specific fertilizer. That is an important distinction.
And I guess, when talking about pruning, we are talking about root pruning, or rather tidying up the roots, removing dead ones. Don't stress the plant on purpose. However, balanced wet and dry cycles (watering, when the roots are turning silver) are a good way to prolong the time between repots and it helps to prevent overwatering. And cooler temperatures signal to the plant that is time to bloom. I wouldn't call it starting the orchid, though, unless you overdo it.
Again, all not really relevant to your situation, I know, but maybe for the future or for possible quiet readers of this post.
Good luck, and if you post a picture in the comments and tag me, I might be able to assess the situation better.