Limp Leaves

I got an Orchid from my hubby May 2013 for Mother's Day. Was in a moss covered purse shaped planter. There were 2 small potted Orchid plants in the planter. I repotted them together in a bit bigger pot. My niece told me to place ice in the pot once a week to water them, which I did. They seemed fine, and I was careful not to let the ice touch the leaves or roots. I cut the spikes down all the way once the blooming was done and they were about a foot away from my East facing window. Leaves weren't whimpy but no new spikes and I thought maybe they'd do better in the kitchen, no direct light and more humidity?? Well, I took to spraying the roots once a week or so, but now the leaves are limp and lightweight, but the overall color is still kinda dark, I think. I've just moved the pot to a different room with bright indirect light all day, but haven't checked to see if the roots are rotten or dry.

OMG! That was a novel!

My questions are:
Do I need to give it a good soak? Maybe it's too dry?
Could it need repotting after a year?
Shouldn't it have bloomed again by now?
Any advice would be welcomed I've got a pic, gonna try to attach it :-D

 

BTW, I just gave it a good soak, it did seem dry. I pulled the water tray off the bottom and am making sure it drains well. It makes sense to me that it's dry. If anyone knows how soon I'll see signs of it perking up or that it's drowning, plz let me know!
:-D

 

I potted it in Orchid medium, it fine bark mostly, I'll update as it progresses. I will check the roots later today, the ones on top, look really healthy

 

Thanks for the welcome Marni! Sorry I didn't see that earlier! I just finished editing a series of 8 pics to show what I had and what I've done. I'd like to post them in order, any recommendations on the best way to achieve that on the forum?

 

Just gonna continue in this same thread, I don't want to be posting multiple threads on this same subject :-D

I've never raised Orchids before. Closest I ever came to caring for them was about 20 yrs ago when I worked at a Calloways Nursery with the indoor plants. All we ever had to do was occasionally spritz them. They sold before anything else was needed. I always loved them, all varieties are gorgeous!
As I mentioned, last year my hubby bought me Orchids for Mother's Day. I took them out of the moss covered "basket" and there were 2 tiny little, I guess 4 inch pots, maybe smaller. Anyway, I did not remove the medium they were already potted in, I just stuck them as they were, out of the pots, into a bigger pot, into a Miracle Gro Orchid Potting Mix I bought just for this purpose. As previously stated, the leaves had become limp and I assumed I had not been watering enough, I tend to let all my plants get pretty dry before watering. I find most indoor plants die from too much water, not from too little.

Anyway, this morning, after soaking them yesterday, I read what Marni posted and as soon as I was able I took them out of the pot. The following images are what I found and what I did that I'm hoping will save them!!

Turns out the original medium was some kind of moss, and it was saturated from the soak!!




Some white patches on and within this moss! I'm pretty sure that's a fungus?? I took all the moss off!


Close up of the moss


This is all the healthy roots these poor babies had left! I'm not really certain if they are really all healthy. But if they weren't dried out, I kept them. There were a lot of dried out husks of old roots.


Same mix I bought last year, it wasn't mildewed so I just used it. That's all I have right now.


Washed out the pot, and those stones, which I had in the bottom before. Added the stones again for drainage. Also, the pot does have holes and I took the "tray" off that was attached to the bottom.


Finally, I potted the plants. I tried to keep the roots that were above soil before above soil still and the ones that were in the soil, still in. I lightly watered with warm tap water, just enough to moisten the top soil.



OK, so, these little babies have consumed most of my yesterday and now my whole morning so far!
:-D
I sure hope it's gonna work!!!
Please comments and advice is very much appreciated. I hope the images aren't too big or too much!??

Thanks!

 

I really appreciate the advice y'all! So I need to allow this to get thoroughly wet, to ensure the roots underneath are gettin' water. For today, this is all I've got. I'll get two small clear pots as soon as I can. I think that makes a lot of sense. Just so happens I just am unable to make that happen today. I also read on hear that I should use fine bark? Is that right? Someone on here said you could pick it up at Home Depot or Lowes? This medium does have a lot of fine bark in it, but I think there's too much actual soil in it.

As soon as I can go shopping I'll get what I need.

I'm sure I read somewhere the how's and when's of fertilizing.

Gotta say, I'm really diggin' this forum! Very helpful!

Thanks Y'all!!

 

I made certain not to pack it tightly, but as soon as I can I'm gonna follow that advice.

 

Does it matter what kind of wood the bark is made of? When doing a search I saw something that was made of pine. I'm just curious if there are different kinds of would bark out there? Also should I get the bark at a nursery or home improvement store or places that do landscaping what do you recommend? I also saw something called Black Orchid bark mix, or something like that, I don't know if that would be good or if it would be just as bad as what I'm using now. I also thought that if I can't find small clear plastic pots that maybe I could cut off the bottom of a water bottle and poke holes in it and use that. What do you think about that?

 

Ok, in my previous post I shared my issues and the steps I've taken. I was on Amazon just now searching for a good reviewed bark mix. I'm thinking I'll get this one
Hoffman 10804 Organic Special Orchid Mix
It had 5 out of 7 great reviews stating it was perfect for phals. Also it's under 10 bux for 4 quarts. Now, I also saw this orchid feed mist stuff from Miracle Grow. It's meant to be used once a week on the leaves, soil and roots but not the blooms. It's .02-.02-.02 and I want to know if y'all think this is a good fertilizer?
I'm feeling confident on the potting mix but unsure on the fertilizer. I'll receive my stuff by Wed. Praying my babies will survive the wait!

 

One of the reviews said bark and some type of charcoal. I'm gonna try it, it's less expensive that the other's and 2 day free shipping rocks!

 

Marni, may I bug you again about the fertilizer? I did go ahead and order that spray, was a little over 6.00 and it states it's ready to use as is.

Oh, y'all might be happy to know I also ordered a Kindle pocket guide to growing phals that was on sale and had great reviews

 

Plus that 19.95 also asks like a 9.95 shipping! I'm spending less than 10 on 4qts. I've emailed the company that sells the brand I'm getting and asked for more details. I'll share when I hear back.