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Mini orchid help

Ann85Ann85 Posts: 64
edited 2 March in Plants
My mini orchid has crinkly sad leaves. I rescued it from the supermarket last year where it was in a tiny pot in normal soil. I repotted it in an orchid pot in bark. Seems happy and has beautiful flowers but the leaves just get sadder. Yesterday I wondered if it was too wet so lifted it out of the pot (sorry no photos) and I think the roots have grown slightly since last year (it had barely any when I repotted it) but are very small and nothing like my bigger orchids: not green or silver. They are only a couple of centimetres each and one of the 4 is shrivelled. The bark was not wet at all. I’ve read up online but can’t tell if it has too much water or not enough?! I only water once a week, let the water drain out. The pot shows a little condensation.
Any idea if this is dehydration because the roots are so small or plain over watering? Thank you for any help 

Posts

  • Magical MeerkatMagical Meerkat Posts: 311
    It looks thirsty to me. I bought one from a supermarket that looked thr same. Gave it a good drink and it's leaves have swelled up nicely. I spak my orchids in water for 15mins then let them drain completely before putting them back in the cover pots. 
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Does look like underwatering but you say you water once a week. So with the bark being dry the water is just going straight through.  Our orchids sit on gravel trays that have a little rain water in. This allows the humidity that orchids need. As @Magical Meerkat suggests give it a good soak and then onto  a gravel tray.
    Great that you rescued it. We have quite a few that we have rescued over the years and continue to enjoy their flowers.
  • Ann85Ann85 Posts: 64
    Magical Meerkat said:
    It looks thirsty to me. I bought one from a supermarket that looked thr same. Gave it a good drink and it's leaves have swelled up nicely. I spak my orchids in water for 15mins then let them drain completely before putting them back in the cover pots. 
    Thanks so much, I will try soaking it instead so it can have a good drink instead of just watering! 🌸
  • Ann85Ann85 Posts: 64
    bertrand-mabel said:
    Does look like underwatering but you say you water once a week. So with the bark being dry the water is just going straight through.  Our orchids sit on gravel trays that have a little rain water in. This allows the humidity that orchids need. As @Magical Meerkat suggests give it a good soak and then onto  a gravel tray.
    Great that you rescued it. We have quite a few that we have rescued over the years and continue to enjoy their flowers.
    bertrand-mabel said:
    Does look like underwatering but you say you water once a week. So with the bark being dry the water is just going straight through.  Our orchids sit on gravel trays that have a little rain water in. This allows the humidity that orchids need. As @Magical Meerkat suggests give it a good soak and then onto  a gravel tray.
    Great that you rescued it. We have quite a few that we have rescued over the years and continue to enjoy their flowers.
    Thank you, I’ll try and keep it a bit more humid. Yes it’s so lovely to rescue them. It was on the most neglected shelf, the only orchid of all that was there. I’m really going to try to save it and keep it happy 🙂
  • Magical MeerkatMagical Meerkat Posts: 311
    Ann85 said:
    bertrand-mabel said:
    Does look like underwatering but you say you water once a week. So with the bark being dry the water is just going straight through.  Our orchids sit on gravel trays that have a little rain water in. This allows the humidity that orchids need. As @Magical Meerkat suggests give it a good soak and then onto  a gravel tray.
    Great that you rescued it. We have quite a few that we have rescued over the years and continue to enjoy their flowers.
    bertrand-mabel said:
    Does look like underwatering but you say you water once a week. So with the bark being dry the water is just going straight through.  Our orchids sit on gravel trays that have a little rain water in. This allows the humidity that orchids need. As @Magical Meerkat suggests give it a good soak and then onto  a gravel tray.
    Great that you rescued it. We have quite a few that we have rescued over the years and continue to enjoy their flowers.
    Thank you, I’ll try and keep it a bit more humid. Yes it’s so lovely to rescue them. It was on the most neglected shelf, the only orchid of all that was there. I’m really going to try to save it and keep it happy 🙂
    Good luck with your orchid. I'm trying to save one I got recently. It was similar to yours, but they'd also spray painted the roots pink!  I hope it can grow new ones to help it hydrate.
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