just spent an hour outside with an orchid my mom had neglected for a minute. it was entirely root bound with tons of root rot and covered in ants so i completely got rid of the roots trimmed the stems and repotted it in a sphagnum perlite mix. i also made sure to spray it w hydrogen peroxide. i adopted the orchid cuz i felt bad so any tips for care and making sure it thrives? this is my first orchid
If I understand correctly, you have removed all the plant’s roots, correct? This will hinder the plant’s ability to take in moisture. It will produce more roots but it might take a little while. You need to increase humidity around the plant to minimize moisture loss until it can regrow its root mass. Keep the sphagnum evenly moist but not wet. Watch for rot. A gravel tray will help. Tenting it would make a big difference but you’ll need to make sure moisture does not collect in the crown.
2 Me gusta around the crown there were a few roots and even some small ones starting to grow so it's not entirely rootless. i plan on just leaving it outside for now and watering it possibly once every week. is that a feasible option?
0 Me gusta It depends on how hot it is outside and how much sun it gets (typical stuff). Phals like bright indirect light, temps in the 70s-ish and don’t like to completely dry out. Watch the plant for signs of dehydration (wrinkled leaves and roots, limp leaves).
1 me gusta it's extremely humid and warm outside where i live. planta gave me a watering regiment which i will probably adhere to. since it doesn't like to dry out should i spray it with water when the top is not moist between watering?
0 Me gusta My previous answer was geared towards a plant recovering without roots. So let’s back up a tad and redo. Orchids as a whole want their roots to dry out relative to typical houseplants. But like all things, they are not a monolith. Phalanopsis are thirstier compared to other orchids. Be careful about following Planta’s schedule. It’s a great tool but doesn’t replace observation and intuition. The best way to tell when it’s watering time is to look at the roots. Green roots = don’t water. Silver roots = watering time. When it’s time to water, top water your phal. In my experience, sphagnum will take in too much water if it’s soaked. Plants in sphagnum in my conditions are usually are ready for water every second week. But honestly, I have trouble with plants in sphagnum. Watch yours to determine when it wants water. Each time I water, I use fertilizer at 1/4 strength. Once a month flush with pure water to reduce salt buildup (this is especially important if you are using synthetic fertilizer or have hard water). I find caring for orchids very rewarding and mildly frustrating. Researching their needs has been very helpful for me. There are several channels on YouTube with information on orchid care, like Miss Orchid Girl, Here.. but Not, Hello Plant Lovers and Growing Orchids With Roger. Podcasts like Plant Daddy and On the Ledge are useful. The American Orchid Society is another handy resource. Luckily they are tough plants. As long as you don’t drown them, you will do great. Good luck!
1 me gusta Thank you! And in terms of fertilizer which i've never used what would you recommend?
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