Orchid

[Goodsoulette]

How do I save my dying orchid? My son has kindly been over watering it for me on the quiet and I have a couple of rotten roots and dome dying leaves, and of course no flowers.

Should i take off the badd roots and leaves and totally repot it, or is it too late.

[Clanad]

It wouldn't hurt to try repotting it... but first, you might try the technique called spagh 'n bag... obtain some good, dry spaghnum peat moss and place in a bag or wrap of burlap. Leave it alone for about trhee or four days, then barely spray the plant with a fine mist of water. If you're really serious, the water should be filtered and purified to assure no salts remain. At any rate, spray the plant only lightly for about a week and then repot in a clay pot still in the spaghnum. In about a month see how it's doing and if improved, replant in a good potting soil recommended for orchids...

Best of luck!

[Goodsoulette]

Thankyou clanad.... My water has a filter on it at the mains anyways, thanks to my coffee addiction.

Looks like I am off to the garden centre.

[Clanad]

A friend who is the world's second best orchid grower (me being the first, but then every orchid grower believes that they are) also, before bagging the derelict, soaks the entire remaining plant in a solution of 1 gallon of warm water (80 degrees F. Did I say I'm in the U.S.?) 1 cup of sugar and about of a teaspoon (less than an ounce) of a rooting hormone that you can get at any garden supply store. He soaks his for about 2 hours, rinses in warm water and does the aforementioned bagging process with one added step. He places the entire spaghnum/burlap package in a pastic bag and seals as best he can. He claims he has created a micro-orchid environment with high humidity. He places the package in a warm but lightly shaded location for a period of time to determine the results... you might consider these steps as well since you have the heart to give it a try...
I think this could enhance the possibility of resurrection, but one has to be cautious of developing mould or fungus... (on the orchid).

Best of luck!

[Goodsoulette]

Thanks again clanad, I have some antifungal stuff for plants, I think its just some sort of disinfectant so ill give this all a go and spray the roots with that then.