Large Paphiopedilum with almost no roots, what should I do?

[Tango]

Hi there,
I recently bought a Paphiopedilum malipoense x rothschildianum at Giulio Celandroni Orchidee. When it arrived on Friday, it sadly turned out to be a decaying plant whith most of its roots dead and totally dry.
I'm very sad about it and hope you can suggest something so I can save my plant!
Thank you!
Tango

[WaterWitchin]

First, I'd contact the seller and tell them of your disappointment with a semi-root rotted plant. Ask for a better specimen, or your money back.

[Tango]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

First, I'd contact the seller and tell them of your disappointment with a semi-root rotted plant. Ask for a better specimen, or your money back.

I did, but he insisted that nothing was wrong. He charged 35 euros for the plant and 28 euros for sending it from Italy to Spain. I will not send back the plant, because I don't want to have more costs. It was expensive enough. I'm very sad because for that money I expected a large, beautiful plant.

[Dorchid]

Contest the charge.

[Tango]

Originally Posted by Dorchid

Contest the charge.

Thanks but I think I'll keep the plant. I don't want more costs.

What woul you do so it can recover?

[Dorchid]

If you paid with a credit card you can contest the charge with the card company as you received something you didn’t pay for, ie, an unhealthy plant...they may credit the charge so you’re not paying for it. I’m not familiar with growing this type of orchid but the current school of thought is to treat it with a root stimulant such as kelpmax. Check Ray’s posts or his website for both the product and tips/technique for rehabbing plants with poor root structures. Kelpmax is great.

[estación seca]

Paphiopedilum roots are completely different from other orchid roots. They are normally brown and fuzzy. The ones in your photos look normal and alive to me.

[WaterWitchin]

What about all the ones not attached to the plant ES?

---------- Post added at 12:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:20 PM ----------

What about all the ones not attached to the plant ES? Or Tango, did you remove those from the plant?

[Tango]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

What about all the ones not attached to the plant ES?

---------- Post added at 12:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:20 PM ----------

What about all the ones not attached to the plant ES? Or Tango, did you remove those from the plant?

Those roots in my hand were completely hollow and dead and fell with the old substrate when I unpotted the plant. The plant had only two normal brown fuzzy roots. I think the photos speak for themselves. I did not cut anything. I have rescued some paphs from commercial malls and supermarkets but even those plants were in a better condition :-(

---------- Post added at 07:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:39 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Dorchid

If you paid with a credit card you can contest the charge with the card company as you received something you didn’t pay for, ie, an unhealthy plant...they may credit the charge so you’re not paying for it. I’m not familiar with growing this type of orchid but the current school of thought is to treat it with a root stimulant such as kelpmax. Check Ray’s posts or his website for both the product and tips/technique for rehabbing plants with poor root structures. Kelpmax is great.

Thanks, other user also mentioned it. I'll buy a bottle of kelpmax and let's see. I think it will recover, but these plants are so painfully slow... After 63 euros it should not be like that.

[estación seca]

The first post didn't mention the roots fell off the plant with unpotting.