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How to properly hydrate an orchid plant?

yanisyanis Posts: 2
in Plants

I found a Phalaenopsis orchid (potted in decomposing bark roots all covered) with wrinkled leaves and poor roots in my parents’ back yard. I am trying to rescue it. Since bringing indoors I removed from the growing medium and justs have it loosely in a pot with some stones and I have been watering almost every day but the plant still seem to be wrinkly and always dry. What is the best way to keep it hydrated

Posts

  • Fire LilyFire Lily Posts: 296
    edited May 2018
    Get it out of those pots and plant it i a glass one. Their roots need light. 

    I water them once a week, by soaking the whole pot in water, then I let it drain. They also like to be sprayed with water. 
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    You need to be misting the grey roots rather than just watering. I'd get some fresh orchid 'compost', soak the roots for a couple of hours in water then pot it up properly in a clear pot. Get a deep water dish and fill it with gravel and water, sit the pot on top of the gravel to raise the humidity until the plant has recovered a bit. Keep misting the roots though and add some orchid food to the sprayer to promote new root growth. 
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited May 2018
    Are you in the UK?

    When repotting into bark, see what the root system is like. If the roots are looking juicy the plant should be ok with time, but it might take six months to a year to get back on its feet. People disagree about how often to water. I think less is best so only water mine once a month and never leave the plant to soak as it risks root rot, I think, which is how most orchids die. The leaves are not looking dry because the roots are dry or because of too little water, but because the plant is unhappy and shouldn't have been outside, if you are in the UK. Phalanopsis orchids like a stable temp - around 20oC - on an inside window sill, preferably north facing - bright but no direct sun. Some humidity is good, so often a bathroom or kitchen can work well.If it has roots and leaves, it should make a come back, but with orchids, patience is the key. Have a good rummage on Youtube for phal orchid experts - UK based. You will hear a wide range of (strong) contradictory opinions about everything to do with phals, but you will get a sense of how orchids work and what they like. Find a place your orchid can settle down, stop watering it for a while, and you might well be rewarded with a happy plant.
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