Second spike on phal blooming, but leaves not looking good
 

This is my first time getting an orchid to re-bloom!! Although I'm worried Because the leaves are not lookin so hot as u can see by the pictures. I had previously re potted it after old flowers fell off and before second spike came out. I had gotten it from Trader Joes, it was in a glass container with no holes ans extremely tightly packed moss, so when I repotted I had to trim away A LOT...most of the roots. But as you can see it was still healthy enough to re bloom. So what's with the papery leaves? They have seen getting worse and worse...I started with about six leaves and have taken three off since they were yellow and would have just fallen off anyway. When I repotted the leaves were extremely healthy...it's been about 4 months or so since the repotting from moss to bark. I water when it feels dry...so probably ever 5 to 7 days and feed every other watering. Help!!??

orchid pics
 

here are the pictures

sorry, computer not letting me load more than one at a time

last one

Hi Mickie! Your plant is dehydrated. This is either because it isn't getting watered often enough, or because it has gotten too much water and the roots have rotted.

It is dehydrated either from root rot or not enough watering. It also could be that it doesn't have enough roots to sustain the plant. It also could probably use higher humidity.

Just because an orchid blooms doesn't mean it is healthy. They will sometimes bloom when they think they are dying. It is sometimes called the death spike. If your plant is not doing well and it puts out a spike it is better to cut the spikes all the way off. Blooming takes a lot of energy. It's better to save the plant than the blooms. When you cut the spikes the plant will put its energy into new roots and new leaves.

I would cut those spikes off all the way and check the roots. Did you soak the new meadium before you repotted it? New medium doesn't hold water very well at first especially if you didn't soak it. Do you know what kind of humidity you have? You need to get it in a place with high humidity. After you check the roots let us know what they look like. A picture would be best. Those leaves won't rehydrate to how they were before. The plant will need to grow new ones.

roots
 

here are a couple pics i just took of the roots...one is dry and the other, i have been soaking them in water and some orchid food. I really dont want to cut off the spikes..but if the orchid is going to die then i guess thats my only option...what do you think based on the little roots that i have?

dry

Personally, I would definitely cut off the spike. Its hard to do, I know. I had to force myself to cut off two spikes that were trying to rebloom on an orchid that was slowly dying (about in the same condition yours is). Its still alive over a month later, so it did some good. With how few roots you have, the more energy it can put towards those roots, the better.

It doesn't look good. I can see only a few small ok roots. If you want the plant to have a fighting chance you have to cut the spikes. Or enjoy the blooms as long as they last (which probably won't be long with the plant being in that condition) and buy a new plant when it dies. If you want the plant to live cut the spikes at the base of the plant and you need to put it in a warm humid spot untill it starts growing new roots.

There is two ways I would do this. (I'm sure other people have other opinions but this has worked for me.) One way would be to plant it in a small unglazed terra cotta clay pot with New Zealand sphagnum moss. Keep the moss moist but not sopping wet and don't pack it too tight. Then take a ziplock freezer bag that fits over the top of the pot and plant and cut the bottom corners off the bag. This is to keep humidity around the plant and the holes are for air flow. Keep the bottom of the pot out of the ziplock bag and close it around the pot. You can keep it open a little for more air flow if needed. Then keep it in a warm place in a spot that isn't as bright as you would normally keep the plant.

The second method would be to take a ziplock freezer bag that is big enough to fit the whole plant and cut the bottom corners off. You also want to cut a couple holes in the sides of the bag for more air flow. The bigger the bag the more holes. Then put some moist New Zealand sphagnum moss in the bottom of the bag and place the roots on the bed of the moist moss. This method is without the pot and just the bare root plant. You can also close the top as much as you want as long as it is getting air flow. I usually close it all the way at first and if it isn't getting enough air open it a little bit but the holes should be enough. Place the bag in the same warm spot as I mentioned above. Make sure the moss stays moist in both methods. Then when the plant starts to grow enough roots you can pot it the way you normally grow it.

I can post some pictures in a little while if you want me to show you what I mean. I am at the store right now so I can when I get home. Let me know if you need the pics. If you don't have any sphagnum moss and you can't find it around your house Lowes or Home Depot usually sells some sphagnum moss. I don't think it is New Zealand moss but it will do.

yes! i have heard of this method and tried it before with a different orchid....sphag and bag i think its called??? i was unsuccessfull in the past, the roots of the orchid i was trying to save got moldy even after i coated them with cinnamon....so pictures would help a lot since i must have done it wrong last time...pretty bummed about the orchid...i didnt know I would have to cut it:( thank you for all the help!

First off DO NOT put cinnamon on roots. It dries them up. So that probably was why it didn't work. It is a balance of moisture and air flow so it doesn't rot. You can also open the bag for a few hours a day to get some new air to the plant. I will work on some pics.

So when I used this method last summer it was on two species plants that I got bare root with no good roots. I first put the plants on a bed of sphagnum moss in a ziplock bag and after they grew enough roots to plant I planted them in a clay pot and sphagnum moss. Then after I potted them I put a ziplock bag over the pot until they started growing well. I grow almost all my plants in sphagnum moss and clay pots so if you usually use a bark mix in a plastic pot that will be fine too if the plant has enough roots to be planted normally.

For an example I am using a sandwich size ziplock bag. You will have to use a bigger one of course. This is how I cut the holes in the bag. This is what it looks like. Like I said before with a bigger bag you will cut more holes in the sides. Attachment 68169
Then soak the moss and squeeze most of the water out so it is moist but not sopping wet. I don't have a bare root plant right now to show you with but just place the plant in the bag. I would probably put the roots down sitting on the moss. You can also soak the moss in a little SuperThrive or KLN. That is what I do. Then hang the bag in a warm spot that has light but not as bright as when you grow a healthy plant. You can open the top of the bag a little bit if you need more air flow. Attachment 68170Attachment 68171

Then after the plant grew enough roots I planted it and put a bag over the plant for extra humidity until I thought it was healthy to grow by itself. I took a ziplock bag and cut the corners like before but since my plant was small I didn't cut any holes in the sides. If you need to you can. I also would take it off for a few hours if it was too wet. You don't want it to be too warm in the bags to where you would cook the plant. You are just using the bag like a little greenhouse. This is how I put it over the pot.Attachment 68172
Make sure the holes in the bag are open and are not collapsed shut. Like this.Attachment 68173
You can close the bottom of the bag around the pot as tight as you want or open it a little if you need more air flow. Make sure you keep the moss moist. Watch it closely and if you think it is too wet or growing mold give it more air flow.

One of the plants I used this method on is doing great. It is a Sophronitis acuensis. It took about 6 weeks in the bag bare root for it to grow enough roots to be planted. Since then it has grown 15 new growths! The other plant took longer so I don't know how long it will take for your plant. My plants had psuedobulbs to support them through that time though. As long as you can keep the plant from loosing its leaves it should have a fighting chance. You also have a couple ok roots so hopefully they will take off in the humid environment. You also have hybrid vigor on your side! I hope it works for you and if you have any more questions I will try to answer them. Good luck!


Wynn Dee

Wynn Dee this has been an amazing help!!! thank you so much! i didnt realize i needed to put the plant right in the bag...just one question though...do you put just the roots in (touching the moss) and have the leaves sticking out the top with the zip lock closed around it? or just put the whole thing in the bag?
and sorry one more question..what are your suggestions on hanging the bag? how do you do it...if there i a way to without putting hooks in the ceiling?
you are amazing to take the time and send me the pictures!:bowing

I'm glad it has helped you! Put the whole plant in the bag. You want the humidity around the leaves to give them some moisture too. Otherwise they will dry out faster and fall off.

I didn't hang mine from the ceiling. I hung mine from my light cart. I grow my plants under lights during the cold months. You don't have to hang it. You can lay it in a warm spot just make sure the holes are open and not collapsed. This is how I hung mine. Attachment 68197
I also put one of my mounted plants in the example bag just to show you. Attachment 68198
Since your plant is a Phal put the roots down on the moss and the leaves up. Place it in the bag upright like how it normally grows in a pot. Let me know if you have any more questions!


Wynn Dee

Update
 

Ok so....phal has been bagged and hanging in front of a window with bright but no direct light about a week now...no visible change except one more leaf has yellowed...down to 2. Just keeping moss in bag moist..no mold also which is good! Will take pics tomorrow. Waiting patiently :dunno:

Be patient. My plants were in there for at least six weeks. One was in the bag for over three months. They grow slow. Way longer than a week. Good luck!

i would like to third the notion for cutting the spikes... it is one of the most difficult things, but the plant will make more if it is saved. Plus, in the shape that the plant is in the flowers will last longer in a vase than on the plant because it is dehydrated. At this point I would defineately reccomend the sphag and bag method.

update
 

Unfortunately orchid did not make it. I ended up losing 2 more leaves, leaving none. I think it was just too late- I should have cut spikes months ago...oh well...next time I know better, new orchid in my future on Saturday at the farmers market!! Thanks for everyones help! !

Sorry to here that. But everyone kills a few while learning! Now you can buy a new one and hopefully take care of it better now that you know how.

Before you buy check the plant out first. Check for good roots, healthy leaves and make sure there are no pests on the plant. Be prepared to repot soon after bringing it home. Try to buy from a good source. I wouldn't buy from the grocery store or big box store unless you want to rescue one. Not that you can't find a good one at one of those places just check out the plant before buying so you don't have any big surprises when you get it home.

There are also many great orchid nurseries online and there are a lot more orchids to choose from! A lot more varieties than you could imagine. It is also so much fun to get one in the mail! It's like opening a present on Christmas morning when you are a kid! If you buy online, the plant might not be in spike but they usually have a page of in spike plants. You could also call to ask what they have in bloom if you want it in flower. Show us some pictures when you get your new orchid! Have fun shopping!