dying flowers come back to life. - Orchid Board

Jeffery · #1 04-13-2010, 11:03 AM

HAHAHA!! you people are going to starting thinking I am out of my mind, I have seen strange things before when it comes to flowers, but this takes the cake.
I have this Phal, its sick, the leafs are very soft and wrinkled, I had 2 spikes on it and the flowers were wilting bad, so to try and save the plant I cut the spikes back.
Will, I had a coke bottle with SUPERthrive added to the water which held a bud, so I put these 2 spikes with wilted flowers in it and 2 days later, look at them now!! the first pic was taken about 3 - 4 days ago when they were still on the plant, the other was taken this morning when I notice this strange thing.

barkingsquirrell · #2 04-13-2010, 11:56 AM

That is amazing. I had that happen to a phal. before, but that is because I was underwatering it. It perked right up the day after watering it.

I love, love, LOVE that purple phal. in the first photo. You wouldn't happen to have a name for it would you?

Izzie · #3 04-13-2010, 12:30 PM

Exciting! How much superthrive is in there?

Orchid126 · #4 04-13-2010, 03:55 PM

It is an indication that the buds were not getting enough moisture while on the plant. You might want to pull the plant out of the pot and examine the roots.

ateles · #5 04-13-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barkingsquirrell

I love, love, LOVE that purple phal. in the first photo. You wouldn't happen to have a name for it would you?

The purple phal looks like my Dpts Chain Xen Pearl 'Pink Lady' - picture on bigleaforchids.com here - Phalaenopsis Photo Library - Phalaenopsis C/Dtps Chain Xen Pearl 'Pink Lady'

barkingsquirrell · #6 04-13-2010, 04:51 PM

That phal. is just gorgeous! It has been added to my MUST buy list.

Ateles

Jeffery · #7 04-13-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orchid126

It is an indication that the buds were not getting enough moisture while on the plant. You might want to pull the plant out of the pot and examine the roots.

This plant had its flowers for about 5 weeks, I bought it in bloom, I had dropped several flowers and the wilting started from the bottom an worked its way up the spikes, actually they had sat wilted on that plant for maybe a week before i decided it was time to cut the spikes off, I know for a fact moisture was not an issue as I soak my Phals twice a week and check them with a wood skeewers almost daily. I will check the roots to see whats up with the plant.

Jeffery · #8 04-13-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzie

Exciting! How much superthrive is in there?

Will a lot just for a bottle of water, I think about 5

I never seen wilted flowers come back, specially after they been removed from the plant.

Smidthmador · #9 04-13-2010, 08:59 PM

I've been reading your posts since you got these plants.

You got them when they were healthy and happily blooming now they wilt. Alls I can say is that you should evaluate ur growing tech..
Personally, on my phal. I use a spray bottle. This way I can be sure to give it the maximum amnt of absorbable water to the roots without letting any stand or cause rot. It also helps the over zealous grower have something to constantly do that won't kill the plant with love : ))

...It could just be shock tho... (Orchids are like the slowest dieing flower/plant that I have ever seen! Even a cactus or succulent will shrivel way before these!) Maybe it didn't like the transition from the shop to ur house and it's just readapting.

I know that this thread was about sad flowers that got happy, but I want ur guys to always be happy! Srry for giving you advice that you didn't ask for...

PaphMadMan · #10 04-13-2010, 09:15 PM

I think it is a pretty simple case of your plants being over-watered, and root death leading to wilting of leaves and flowers. When the flowers got enough water after being cut they revived, and a phal spike can continue blooming for quite a while after being cut. The Superthrive can't hurt, but I don't think it was a major factor.