Is my orchid dead?

[Dollythehun]

I would always sterilize any "found" materials.

[DirtyCoconuts]

i agree with the above, this is also true of found friends and pets


lets see what you can find for medium before you jump to how to care for it like watering.

Ideally you find some moss and you can do the bag tent trick ...if you cant then depending on what you have to plant it in that will dictate the watering schedule

[Lilyorchid]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

i agree with the above, this is also true of found friends and pets


lets see what you can find for medium before you jump to how to care for it like watering.

Ideally you find some moss and you can do the bag tent trick ...if you cant then depending on what you have to plant it in that will dictate the watering schedule

So I found some pebbles and have boiled them and dried em. I also found a very old moss around some really old decorative plant (which I hate) and proceeded to boiling it in case it can be used. I have attached the medium and await further instruction.

[aliceinwl]

If it were mine, I’d pot it up in the rocks and water whenever the rocks are dry (probably daily), and put a clear bag over the potted plant to minimize water loss. If you water by holding it under the tap, let the water hit the base of the plant: this really seems to stimulate root development in rootless wonders I’ve rehabilitated.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I agree with Alice. Make sure it is loosely tented with a plastic bag. Without root it has to take its water through humidity so the key is keeping it humid without rot or mold.

God speed

[Orchid Whisperer]

Assuming some of the roots are still alive, you can also rehabilitate a root system by using what is called "vase culture". It would help you visualize this cultural method to look up pictures of "vase culture".

Get a vase, or clean glass jar, in which you can hang the roots, with the plant supported by the leaves on the rim of the vase. Fill the jar with water once a day, just enough for most of the roots to be immersed in water, but keeping the leaves out of the water. Soak the roots up to one half hour, then DRAIN off all of the water. The roots stay dry until the next day, then you repeat. Keep doing that until new roots form. You can grow a Phalaenopsis for many years in vase culture, with no bark or other medium, even bloom them that way. No plastic bag tent over the plant needed in your climate and humidity.

[Lilyorchid]

Just a quick update. I've tried the bag method and a little root seems to want to pop out. Only problem is I had used some moss and placed it over a small dry root, big mistake for it grew mold. I now have removed all moss and continue with just the bag method. I warm up the water so it creates more moisture. Here are pics! The 2 bottom leaves turned yellow but I read that's normal for it to drop them (well I hope so at least).

[SouthPark]

Looks promising there. That's right. The sphag N bag technique generally involves no contact between orchid roots and sphagnum moss. No contact. The idea is to create enough humidity for any new roots to grab moisture from the atmosphere - to supply the root and the plant with water.

Fungal growth is probably one possible issue. Not sure how to cut down on issues with unwanted fungal growth. Maybe some fungicide spray. Not sure.