Question
I have been very interested in growing orchids but wanted to make sure that I could provide for them properly first.  The day before yesterday I was @ my local walmart and they had left about 20 plants (phalaenopsis) out over night during a frost. Needless to say they were just throwing them in the dumpster so now I have them and need advise on saving them.  The blooms are obviously dead and now the leaves are losing their color and becoming kind of mushy instead of rubbery.  I noticed that they have hardly any soil in pots and roots are growing out the tops.....Do I have a shot at saving these little guys ?

Answer
Hello Ray,

I wish I could tell you that they all can be saved but that wouldn't be true.  From your description of what happened and how they look, it would be a miracle if any of them survive.  But, if you don't mind putting in the work and time, here is what you can try to save a few.  

Remove them from the pots.  Remove as much of the media from the roots as you can.  Remove any soft mushy roots as they are dead.  Remove any parts of the leaves that obviously are freeze damaged, leaving only still healthy (firm) leaf parts.  Place each phalaenopsis plant in a plastic bag along with the plastic label it came with (if there were tags with it).  Place a barely moist paper towel or napkin in the bag and close it.  Put it in a warm shady place.  Once a week, check to see how they are doing.  Throw away any that are obviously dying.  Hopefully at least one or more of them will begin to show signs of new leaf or root growth within 2 to 3 months.  Any longer than that and I'm afraid ......  Sorry.  

Hope this has helped.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.