New Butterfly orchid - Did I freeze it??? - Orchid Board

Lindanc · #1 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 09:55 AM

I have to say my family is wonderful! I had a call from a family member yesterday and said "Have you gotten a package for Christmas!!!???? You might want to check all your doors because the package is alive and we don't want it to freeze to death!

Well, I was away from the house and couldn't get back for several more hours. When I got home, Yep, there was the package and had been sitting at a door (which I hardly ever use) and COLD for about 2 days!

It was a butterfly orchid (Onc Krameriarum x versteegianum) and when I unpacked it - it was so very cold! Temps had gone down in the mid to high 30's the night before.

Will it be OK? I can't tell if it has been damaged. I'm so mad at myself! It lookes like it has nice leopard leaves (varigated). Are these orchids usually varigated? It is so usual looking.

Another question it is in a tiny pot - should I repot it? It is not blooming size but it is very full in it's tiny pot. Or should I just leave it alone for awhile until it gets over the shock of my "abuse".

cb977 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 10:01 AM

What a wonderful gift!

Do the leaves look damaged/blackened?

Lindanc · #3 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 10:23 AM

It had one tiny little leaf that looked damaged (maybe) and I just pulled it off. Since I've never seen these types of leafs, I'm not sure - they don't look black or brown.

I let it get room temperture (overnight) before I watered it. It was so dry - and in this tiny little pot.

cb977 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 10:25 AM

Okay, that's good

Normally, I repot everything as soon as I get it but in this case, I'd say let it recover before doing anything drastic to it. Poor little guy's been through enough for now

cupcake · #5 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 11:07 AM

I'd be inclined ( like Susanne) just to leave it to settle in. Talk to it nicely and make it feel loved and I bet you it will survive!

caseydoll · #6 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 04:35 PM

I looked your new orchid up and while I didn't find info on your exact kind I did find Onc Krameriarum. From what I found it looks like it does have varigated leaves. Dark green with purple mottled is what is said. Yours may be a little different because it is mixed with something else. Hope that helps ease your mind a little!