Question
QUESTION: Hello - I have 8 orchids which are doing well - growing leaves and roots.  I took a friends orchid to nurst back to health but it has lost all roots and is now losing all leaves.  I have repotted it and originally it was potted in bark and I changed the potting medium from bark to moss.  Is there anything I can do to save this orchid?  Many thanks.

ANSWER: Gee, as you probably know, most phalaenopsis orchids that succumb, do so because the potting mix has deteriorated and no longer provides sufficient drainage and air movement through the mix.  It is not surprising that the plant is losing its leaves without roots to support their growth. Under these circumstances, you were right to get the plant out of the old potting mix.  Whether or not it survives depends upon whether or not the crown of the plant has been damaged.  There need to be cells capable of generating new leaf growth and this may not be known until the plant has had sufficient time to attempt to generate new tissue from these cells.  If, after a month, no new growth is seen, it is likely that these cells have been destroyed.  I generally recommend against potting plants in moss because it tends to compact over time.  However, if done properly, it can be of help in a case such as yours.  Place just a bit of moss in a plastic pot.  Be sure it is loose-- the long fibered moss is best.  Then, place the plant into the pot, so the bottom of the plant is just above the moss so that it benefits from constant humidity but does not remain wet. I have had good success with this approach but it does not work 100 percent of the time. You will need to monitor this so the moss is not too wet (just damp) and does not dry out.

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Dying Phal   QUESTION: I want to be sure that I understand your directions.  Are you saying that the bottom of the crown should just above the moss?  or the bottom of the plant/leaf should be just above the moss?    

I really appreciate your response.  Thank you!

Answer
Thanks for the picture.  It appears that you have a healthy root and leaf so you could repot this plant in fresh orchid potting mix so the root is in the potting mix.  The other option, which we were discussing, is to set the lower portion of the plant (below the root) close to. or on, the long fibred moss so the lower portion of the plant is exposed to the humidity generated by the damp moss.