Gah! Mold! Getitoff!

[james mickelso]

First off, orchids are fairly hardy plants and survive quite well with no moisture for awhile. Maybe they need to be left alone for awhile. I have a paph that I have had for quite a few years and it has virtually no roots. How it continues to survive I don't know. I also have quite a few catts that have no roots and they have been potted for about 1 year and are still kicking. I think what they do is slow the metabolism and slowly grow a new bud. Maybe if you can get some spagnum moss, just put them all in a pot with some very loose moss around their root area and just mist the moss and leaves for a month. The warmer it is the more you might want to mist them. Give them moderate light level and see what they do. Most likely the paph will slowly throw up a new leaf. Hopefully some new roots. I have a small redish phal that has no roots and hasn't had any for 6 mos. But it is still turgid and viable so I loosely wrapped the root area in spagnum, dusted the area with Rootone, and water it lightly every couple days. When the moss feels crisp. It finally has a new leaf barely poking it's head above the other two leaves. Orchids are slow. Very slow when they have been injured. Patience grasshopper. Time will tell. Keep them warm, moist (not wet), and humid. But to help get rid of the mold (which might not be that injurious anyway) let them dry out. Just mist the foliage. That is probably the only part of the plant taking in moisture now anyway. What doesn't make it is a learning experience anyway. I just tell myself it makes room for more orchids. Then I dry my eyes and move on. Let me know how they do. Pic 1 is how a lot of my rescues look and I wrap the root area loosely in spagnum, wire around to keep it in place, and after dusting with rootone, I just dip once or twice a week.. Pic 2 is what happens most of the time after 4-6-8 mos has gone by. Not all make it but most do. I also put them on my rescue boards. Go back a month or so and read that thread. I have a lot of success with that method.

[Wynn Dee13]

First of all sorry about your plants! How frustrating! Anyway, you did have a lot of mold and that isn't good but you have to remember mold and fungi are everywhere. It is in our air and most definitely around any plant. You won't get rid of every spore. I don't understand why people routinely treat their plants with listerine or some other fungicide unless it is out of control. Plants come with fungi. Orchid seeds even need a fungus to germinate in the wild. Of course the amount you had isn't normal and needed to be taken care of and removed but I wanted to remind everyone that plants come with mold and fungus whether you like it or not.

Good luck with your plants! I hope they recover! Keep us posted!