Question

My sad baby   QUESTION: I have a young phalaenopsis that I received in April of last year.  I took this picture a little over a week ago and since then the lone leaf fell off!! I'm hoping that the roots are still good and that I have a fighting chance to bring the lil guy back. Pleeease help!!!

ANSWER: Hello Jessica,

It does look awfully sad, doesn't it.  

From the photo, it appears there is a very slight green tinge at the base of the leaf.  The potting media looks very similar to sphagnum moss which could be the root of the problem as it tends to hold a lot of water and takes a very long time to dry.  Phalaenopsis roots need to go through a wet to barely moist back to wet cycle, kept constantly wet and the roots soon die.  

To find out how the roots are, revove the phal. from the pot and pull the moss from the roots.  If the roots are still firm, they are alive but if they are mushy they are dead.  

If the roots are all dead with no leaf, basically it is history - sorry.  

Hope this answered your questions.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok, so there is one good root out of the bunch. Is that enough for it to survive on? And if so, what should I do for it?

Thank you,
Jessica

Answer
Hi Jessica,

You can try saving it by removing it from the pot, remove the moss from the roots, remove the stem and place the entire orchid into a plastic bag with a slightly moist paper towel.  Close the bag and put it in a warm shady place.  Once a week, check it to see if any new roots emerge.  Once there are several new roots over 2 inches long you can pot it in a pot with drainage holes in the bottom along with some medium grade orchid media.  

Once it is in a pot, keep it in bright shade where temperatures are between 60F to 85F, humidity above 50%, light air movement.  Water it when the media becomes barely moist.  Feed it a balance type orchid fertilizer once in a while.  

Hope this helps save it.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.