The Mess Inventory - Orchid Board

quiltergal · #1 01-17-2009, 02:45 PM

I have taken pics of the plants I rescued from my son a few days ago. All I have done to them so far is give them a good soaking. I have medium soaking and plan to repot most of them this weekend. Some may find the following images disturbing. View at your own risk!

C. Peckhaviensis - He picked out this plant on a birthday trip to Briggs Hill Orchids. He was in his early teens at the time. It's his oldest surviving orchid and the one I'm the most worried about.

Rsc. Exotic Appeal - I picked this one out for him while in Maui 2005. It's the second worst looking one.

B. David Sander - I think an orchid growing friend of his gave him this division. This is one tough plant. It really looks like nothing is wrong with it.

Brs. Eternal Wind 'Summer Dream' - picked out while visiting Atkatsuka Orchids on the Big Island in 2007. It's got new growths started and some new root nubbins.

Rsc. Creation 'Summer Choice' - He bought this one at our local show last April. It's a pretty purple splash petal. It's got 2 new growths so should be fine.

Paph. Pinocchio - originally mine but I gave it to him. After a good soak it really doesn't look too bad.

priz_m · #2 01-17-2009, 03:03 PM

Wow Terri by the sight of the first one I thought you'd have a handful to work with, but as for the rest, I thinks they will be fine, specially in such good hands

cb977 · #3 01-17-2009, 03:45 PM

Nothing some TLC won't fix!

I'd cut off those really bad leaves on the first one and go from there...I'm sure they'll be fine, and your son will be fine too

Ross · #4 01-17-2009, 05:18 PM

Terri, I never worry about burned leaves. They are only a symptom of a point in time. They have nothing to do with the health of the plant. So just live with them (I wouldn't cut them off unless they go totally brown) and let that be a lesson to keep these guys out of the Southern Orygun sun!

Junebug · #5 01-17-2009, 05:58 PM

Hi Terry,

I'm sure you can bring your son's babies back to life. They might suffer a little set back but they all look like they still have potential. I agree with Ross about the sunburned leaves. As long as they're green they're an energy source for the plant. You're such a good Mom. Good Luck.

quiltergal · #6 01-19-2009, 04:58 PM

Well I spent the morning repotting all of these guys as well as a couple of new ones that I bought. That boy! When he repotted last spring all he did was pull the plant out of the existing pot and plop it in a bigger one with more medium. Of course the roots in the old medium were all rotted. I think his watering regimen (when he was still watering) was to put them all in a tub of water and leave them indefinitely. He knows better. I cleaned them up as best I could and got them all in nice new medium. Some were able to fit in a smaller pot due to the massive amount of root trimming I had to do. I managed to find them all a home on the rack. My goodness it's tight in there.

The Hwr. Lava Burst I bought in Kauai had root rot as well. I suspected as much when I bought it. The Pbulbs were all wrinkled and it was wobbly in the pot. I should have left it. It was the only one she had and I just wanted it so bad. I cut off all the spikes, trimmed up the dead roots and repotted. It's condition is too bad to even think about putting it in S/H. Maybe next year if it recovers.

So the ball is back in their court. If they make it fine, if they don't, to the compost heap with them! I don't have time to Sphag N Bag them all.

Thanks for all your words of encouragement. I means a lot.

Lagoon · #7 01-19-2009, 06:41 PM

They just need some TLC, Terri

I'm glad you were able to find room for them. You're space is tight, but they don't care

Best wishes to you and you're Son. I hope the waters smooth out for ya's real soon

Good luck with the new 'chids. Please keep us posted and let us know how you're all doing.