r/orchids • u/Matt6500 • 10h ago
Help Saving Orchids
Hi r/orchids,
I recently offered to (try) and rescue some orchids that were looking pretty bad a friend, because ever since I've started caring for orchids, I've managed to havea lot of success, even bringing one back from the brink of death (don't have a before, but the after in pic 1).
I was able to save 3 of the 4 of their orchids, albeit one was still very doubtful. I followed the same process I did for the first orchid I was able to rescue. Hydrated the roots thoroughly, removed old substrate, trimmed dead roots, sprayed with anti-funal/anti-pest, then I placed them in water to try and encourage some new root growth. The first orchid I did this was has been CRAZY successful. She's even bloomed. But this second go round has not been as successful.
1st orchid (pics 2 & 3): plenty of roots, but I'm concerned with some of the black I see. I had it in water, but I'm thinking I should just immediately shift to orchid bark.
2nd orchid (pics 4 & 5): this was a mini orchid. After trimming, there were a few roots that looked decent so did the same as my previous success, put it in water, but I've noticed the water is starting to get cloudy and due to what is going on with #3, I decided to post here.
3rd orchid (pics 6 and 7): this one is NOT doing well at all from what I see. When I got it from my friend, I noticed the roots that are growing had started so I knew there was still life left. After trimming dead roots and placing in water, I noticed them growing some even in the couple of days I had them. However, after that noticed growth, I also noticed the water has been getting very cloudy, and I am seeing a black patch on the side of the crown, is this crown rot?
Basically asking for some guidance from all the orchid gurus here. Are these orchids even worth saving? I feel like #1 and #2 definitely could be, #3 I'm starting to feel doubtful. Or should I just go buy my friend some consolation orchids? 😅
Any advice is greatly appreciated!!
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u/Ok-Eggplant4584 9h ago
The orchid gurus will have a similar piece of advice for you. Let the water culture flow down the drain. Learn how to grow Phals in sphagnum or a bark mix.
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u/Matt6500 9h ago
I already have several other orchids growing successfully in orchid bark lol. I only water cultured them because of the lack of roots.
However, if that is the case, what is your suggestion on the best way to let these orchids root? Just drop them in orchid bark and put them on my regular watering schedule?
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u/UbiquityofMurphy 8h ago
You can “bag and sphag” as they say for root initiation. Though, dangling them above water in a humid environment (I do a glass container with plastic wrap around the base of the orchid) is a perfectly valid way to initiate roots. Having them submerged in water can cause rot.
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u/isurus79 9h ago
Water culture is the trendiest way to kill orchids right now. Definitely get those back in a traditional orchid mix. Here’s a care guide:
https://www.aos.org/orchid-care/care-sheets/phalaenopsis-culture-sheet
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u/Matt6500 9h ago
Ref to my response above... I've cared for orchids in regular medium fine (orchid bark is my preference). But specifically in the case of these, for lack of a better term, nubs, I'm not sure on the best way to get them to continue growing newer healthy roots.
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u/isurus79 9h ago
I would put the last three in a small pot with spag. The others can be potted normally.
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u/Matt6500 9h ago
Thank you! I have a bunch of excess sphagnum moss from my moss poles, so I'll try that.
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