The orchid's roots died. First aid for an orchid - resuscitation after rotting roots

Orchids are capable of acutely responding to negative living conditions. Errors in caring for these plants can cause diseases, sometimes leading to their death. Root diseases can be considered one of the common negative manifestations of flower disease. A large number of novice gardeners have plants that die due to loss of roots. The orchid is dying, how to save the plant? The answer to this question is of interest to a large number of flower growers.

Description of orchids

Exotic plants called orchids amaze with their diversity and splendor. These indoor flowers are in great demand; they decorate almost every third apartment of Russians. Orchids amaze with their unearthly beauty and bright colors.

Orchids are identified by botany specialists as a separate family. These tropical plants appeared many millions of years ago.

There are many types of orchids; they can grow both from the ground and clinging to other plants. It is possible to see species that reach several meters and are very small, which can even be placed in Matchbox. All species of this plant have the same structure.

Features of the root mass of orchids

The functions of roots are to supply plants with moisture and nutrients. The roots of orchids are endowed with a certain device called velamen. This is the name given to the roughened layers of dead cells that cover a large number of roots extending from the stem of a flower.

Velamen controls the presence of moisture in the roots of orchids and protects them from exposure to the sun's rays. Strong vascular bundles run through the center of the plant root.

Orchid roots can change color scheme. Dry healthy parts of the plant usually have White color, when wet they turn green. And here Brown color roots indicates their death. In such cases, flower growers are faced with an acute question: how to save orchids from imminent death.

Appearance of healthy roots

An orchid that is not susceptible to the disease can be distinguished by examining appearance its root system. Healthy roots are usually endowed with hardness and elasticity, and have a light gray-green color.

The roots of the plant should not be soft and pale - this indicates a disease. If they form balls, intertwine with each other and are visible from the pot, this is not considered a deviation from the norm.

The main factor in the health of the roots of this plant is not the location, but the color and lack of softness.

Manifestations of the disease

The condition of the roots can serve as a definite indicator of errors in orchid care. If they undergo negative changes and begin to cause concern, you should immediately look for an answer to the question - how to save an orchid if the roots are rotting?

The disease has certain symptoms:

  • Development of the decay process.
  • A characteristic color change (the root becomes much lighter).
  • Death of the plant's root system.

Signs of rotting orchid roots are:

  • Darkening.
  • Presence of wet areas.
  • The appearance of moisture when pressing on the roots;
  • Thread-like appearance of damaged areas.

An orchid has rotted - how to save the flower? To do this, you should carefully care for these amazing beautiful plants, without delay, carry out certain preventive actions.

Factors causing rotting

In most cases, the development of the process of rotting of orchid roots can be caused by the following factors:

  • Lack of lighting. Lack of light affects the roots of the plant in an extremely negative way.
  • Infection with fungal infections. There are cases when the roots begin to rot due to the penetration of fungal infections even with proper care behind this flower. How to save orchid roots from rotting? To do this, it is recommended to constantly treat plants with certain chemical compounds in order to prevent rotting.
  • Pest attack. Pests can lay larvae in the soil that feed on the shoots of the flower roots. As a result, the plant experiences a lack of moisture and its leaves wilt. In such cases, it is recommended to rinse the roots warm water and plant the orchid in new soil.
  • Excess moisture. Orchids require moderate watering; too much water can lead to root diseases.
  • Soil compaction. The substrate must allow enough air to pass through for plant life. Sometimes it undergoes significant compaction and begins to crumble. What to do if an orchid dies, how to save it exotic plant. The soil where orchids grow should be changed on time.
  • Burns caused to the root system by fertilizing. Orchids react sharply to feeding with certain fertilizers. The roots of the flower, burned by them, lose the ability to normally perform their functions. How to save orchids in such cases? It is necessary to stop feeding the plant and replant it in new soil.

Root extension

If the roots of the flower are seriously damaged, you can try to grow new ones by completely removing the old mass. How to save an orchid if the roots have rotted? When growing, you should use high-quality planting soil that has the right texture and density.

It is recommended to water the plant quite rarely, when the soil is completely dry. Abundant watering may cause rotting of tender roots. Orchids should be watered in the morning using filtered water. By following these rules, you can soon grow healthy flower roots.

Is it possible to save orchid roots?

If a flower has completely lost its roots, it needs urgent resuscitation. The choice of method for saving the plant directly depends on the condition of the damaged parts. Great importance also have the conditions created by flower growers to bring the flower back to life. The easiest way to save an orchid is to resuscitate it in water.

The plant must first be cleaned of rotten roots and damaged leaves. It is recommended to do this using disinfected scissors or a knife.

Then it should be placed in water so that the apical part of the orchid is located above the water level. To speed up the effective result, the flower pot should be placed in a place where there is a lot of light. Thanks to the application this method, after a certain time, new roots of the plant can be grown.

How to save orchids without roots and leaves

To save a plant that has lost not only its roots, but also its leaves, it is necessary to create optimal conditions for it.

It is recommended to plant the flower in a greenhouse small sizes. You can actually buy it or make it yourself from a transparent plastic box.

In order for the plant to receive enough light, you should purchase a certain phytolamp or place the flower in a room with high-quality lighting.

Certain procedures can be carried out with orchids located in a greenhouse or pot:

  • Soaking in clean water and nutrient solutions.
  • Wiping the leaves and roots with solutions that help stimulate and saturate the plant with nutrients.
  • Bathing orchids in solutions with the addition of certain drugs.

Is it possible to save an orchid without roots? Experts recommend using the following drugs to revive orchids:

  • Growth regulators, which contain natural phytohormones that promote the appearance of new roots. The neck of the root is soaked in their solutions every month.
  • B vitamins that support the vital processes of plants during the absence of root mass. The roots are soaked monthly in a solution of vitamins, and orchid leaves are wiped with it every week.
  • Microfertilizer "Iron Chelate", which serves as a growth stimulator for leaves and roots. It is added to certain solutions that are used to treat orchids.
  • Fertilizers based on potassium and phosphorus, accelerating the formation of root mass. They feed orchids once every 14 days, adding them to solutions for watering and soaking.
  • Glucose, which healthy flower receives through photosynthesis and spends it on the construction of new cells. During the period of saving the orchid from death, it is added to solutions in a certain amount.

Algae on the roots

How to save orchids from algae formation? After all, their presence on the roots can cause oxygen starvation of the plant and even lead to the death of the flower.

The simplest method of getting rid of algae is to treat the plant with certain products that can currently be purchased. You should dilute the product according to the instructions and immerse the flower in it for a certain time. This simple procedure will help you easily rid your orchid of excess and dangerous algae.

How to save an orchid without roots? Following simple rules caring for this flower will actually prevent the development of root rotting. If they do begin to rot, proper attention and quality care can help revive the orchid.

An orchid is an incredibly beautiful, but whimsical and capricious flower to care for. The natural habitat of this unusual representative of the fauna is a tropical climate. Reproduce similar conditions of detention in home environment It's hard enough. The lack of a favorable microclimate becomes main reason the fact that even an adult and blooming orchid begins to wither and then, if no measures are taken, dies. Therefore, the condition of the orchid must be constantly monitored.

Growing an exotic beauty on a windowsill requires a lot of time and effort to simply part with your favorite specimen. It is much easier and simpler to take a number of measures to resuscitate a diseased orchid. You can even save a plant that has lost its foliage. If you do everything correctly, then very soon it will once again become the main decoration of the window sill, delighting you with its sophisticated and delicate beauty. The main thing is to do everything necessary measures for restoration in a timely manner.

Natural aging of orchid foliage

Not all foliage problems are caused by improper care. We must not forget about the natural physiological and inevitable aging of foliage. It is characterized by yellowing of the plate. To be sure that aging is the reason for the loss of foliage, it is necessary to take into account what species the orchid belongs to. The leaves of the exotic beauty usually die off in the third month of their existence.
Early falling off is typical only for dendrobium. It occurs during a period of rest. Monopodial species, among which phenopolis is the most common and grown on window sills, as a rule, do not lose all their foliage. It is considered normal for them to die off of only two leaves, which are lower than the others. Any other drop is not natural, but serves as a signal of concern about the health of the orchid.

Yellowness, accompanied by lethargy and flabbiness, is not physiological aging, but most likely overheating. To prevent the orchid from losing its leaves, it is removed from the windowsill, and after three to four hours it is sprayed and watered with settled water. On the fourth or fifth day the plant will come to its senses, but it needs to be placed in a new place.

For what reasons does an orchid lose its leaves?

Loss of foliage in orchids is most often associated with improper care. There are a huge number of points, each of which must be followed. Otherwise exotic and capricious flower may be left without leaves. The bareness of the stem in orchids is usually directly related to the condition of the root system.
Often, novice gardeners overwater the plant. This is due to the erroneous assumption that orchids love moisture. In its natural habitat, this exotic representative of the flora actually grows along the coastline of reservoirs, in tropical forests, on sea slopes or in gorges. Its roots are never completely immersed in water.
If you water an orchid too much at home, root system it will just start to rot. Therefore, moisture stagnation in the soil should not be allowed. When a plant for any reason long time didn't water the best way to prevent excessive flooding is to lower the roots into water for 10 minutes and then spray the foliage.

Reanimation of an orchid without leaves

There are several ways to save an exotic tropical plant from death. Which method to resort to depends on the condition of the orchid itself and the availability of free time. The latter is the most important point. If you violate any point of the rehabilitation process, all efforts will be reduced to a minimum.
Since most common cause loss of foliage is to flood the root system, so that rotting does not spread to the foliage, the orchid must be removed from the pot. Shake off the soil from the rhizome and dip it in a basin filled with warm water for exactly ten minutes. Not a minute more, not a minute less.

A simple way to save an orchid

It is recommended to resort to it only under favorable conditions for the tropical beauty. This means that it is kept at an optimal level of air humidity and good light. Both of these factors must correspond to the orchid variety. No deviations are allowed.
The stalk that remains without leaves is planted directly in the moss. Watering must be correct. For each, only one tablespoon of settled water is enough. Moisture is absorbed by the moss and distributed evenly, and, therefore, the plant receives the amount of liquid it needs.
This method is quite simple, but not always effective, since it cannot be recreated ideal conditions very difficult. They resort to it most often when the plant has simply been flooded or taken by a stem without leaves.

You can plant the rescued plant in a new container when the stem gets stronger and the root system begins to grow, which indicates that the orchid feels great in the moss. The main thing is that the container is located correctly, that is, in the place where tropical beauty there will be no risk of overheating, hypothermia or drafts.

The second method of plant resuscitation

The orchid is pulled out of the water. Wait for the plant to dry completely. The root system is examined and assessed. Rotten shoots and leaves are removed with sharp scissors, pruning shears, or a blade. The instrument is pre-treated for sterilization.
The cut areas are sprinkled with powder. It is prepared from ground cinnamon or charcoal. If the inanimate elements are not removed, the flowers will continue to rot. Leaving damaged areas will nullify all efforts to save the orchid.

The flower, cleared of leaves and damaged roots, is placed in a greenhouse. It can be purchased at a specialty store or made from plastic container having transparent walls. The bottom is laid out with expanded clay and moss. The orchid is “planted” from above and covered with a lid.
The main requirement for keeping an orchid in a greenhouse is the temperature regime. It should not be higher than +33 degrees. If the temperature is higher, rotting will resume. At night, the temperature should be kept between +20 and +25 degrees.

Preventive measures to prevent orchid leaf loss

Neither the leaves nor the root system will rot if the appropriate care rules are followed. The first and most important thing comes down to the fact that the orchid calmly tolerates dry soil, but rots when water stagnates at the bottom of the container.

It is quite difficult for novice gardeners to determine when the soil needs additional moisture. Will be an excellent assistant in watering plastic pot. Its transparent walls will be an excellent guide for monitoring the condition of the rhizome, so as not to dry out or flood the soil.

Orchids get sick not only due to overheating, but also due to lack of lighting. In both cases, the plant requires a change of residence. Otherwise, resuscitation of the flower will not be successful. You cannot place an orchid on a window without curtains or blinds, or next to heating devices that are not covered with a shield. This will cause overheating.

Most optimal choice will be placing the orchid on a special stand. It should be located near a window oriented to the southeast or southwest. The main thing is that direct rays do not fall on the foliage of the flower. Otherwise, the plates will get burned, which will cause them to fall off.

Indoor orchids are considered difficult to care for and maintain only because many novice gardeners' plants die due to loss of the root system. Is it possible, and how, to revive an orchid in which most of the roots that feed the flower have rotted or dried out?

The autumn-winter period is most dangerous for people from the tropics, where there are practically no seasonal fluctuations in temperature, light and humidity. Actively growing in the warm season, blooming orchids They feel comfortable in natural conditions, easily tolerating the lack of lighting, heating and additional air humidification.

An orchid without roots can be saved. But by winter the picture changes. And the plant noticeably slows down its growth, consuming less nutrients and moisture. What is the reason that orchids die at home, and how to save a beautiful flower?

If the grower did not react in time to the change of season, did not adjust the care and conditions of maintenance, the consequences in the form of weeping, rotting roots will definitely make themselves felt.
How to save an orchid with rotten roots?

Having noticed that recently a living and healthy flower has become lethargic, the leaves have lost their juiciness, withered, and even watering does not help the plant recover, the gardener should be wary. The sooner the problem is discovered, the easier it will be to resuscitate the orchid, because without roots the flower will not be able to feed and will inevitably die.

A sick plant must be carefully inspected. Before resuscitating an orchid at home, you need to assess the situation and find out the extent of the damage. This is done by carefully examining the root system.

Living and healthy roots are always dense, with an elastic, uniform surface. The younger the rhizomes, the lighter their color, and when immersed in water or after abundant irrigation they become noticeably greener.
Old rhizomes have a gray or brownish tint. But as long as they feed the leaf rosette and peduncles, the roots remain hard, smooth and dry to the touch.

Rotten and dead roots must be removed

Removing the substrate and washing the underground part of the plant will show a complete picture of the damage. A sign of rotting, bacterial or fungal infection is:

  • darkening of rhizomes;
  • the appearance of wet, slimy areas on them;
  • flow of water when you press on the root;
  • thread-like appearance of collapsed roots.

Unfortunately, rotten roots can no longer be saved, so they are removed, carefully trimmed to healthy tissue. Do the same with dried rhizomes. The loss of two or three roots, if the plant is properly cared for, will not affect its viability.

But what to do if all or most of the orchid’s roots have rotted? Is it possible to restore health to the plant or will you have to say goodbye to the green pet?

Having eliminated all problem parts, leave the plant to dry.

After removing the problem areas, the cuts on the remaining parts must be treated with activated carbon crushed to the powder stage or ground cinnamon, which also has pronounced disinfectant properties. When the roots dry, it is useful to immerse them in a fungicide solution for 10–15 minutes. This will reduce the risk of colonizing a weakened plant with harmful fungi.

Having disinfected the remaining roots and ensured the protection of the plant, it is important to treat the growth area of ​​future roots with a growth stimulator. This will strengthen the orchid’s immunity and speed up rooting.

How to revive an orchid: methods available at home

An orchid left without roots should not be thrown away. With proper care and patience, a tropical plant turns out to be very hardy and life-loving. Experienced flower growers It is advised to consider three ways of revival:

  • in a home greenhouse;
  • without a greenhouse, using regular watering and drying;
  • by planting in a regular substrate.

If the plant has living roots, it is transplanted into a fresh substrate. Before resuscitating the orchid, you need to assess its condition and choose the most effective and maximum quick way. If a flower that has lost less than 60% of its roots manages to return to health in a month, then an orchid completely deprived of its root system may require special maintenance and care for up to a year.

The choice of how to save an orchid without roots depends on:

  • on the condition of the affected flower;
  • on the number and condition of leaves;
  • from the presence of horse primordia formed in the lower part of the leaf rosette.

The conditions that a grower can create to resuscitate an orchid without roots are also of considerable importance.
Read also: Common diseases of roses - methods of control and symptoms of diseases
How to revive an orchid in greenhouse conditions?

If the grower has a window greenhouse in which the plant will be kept at consistently high humidity and comfortable temperature, there is a high probability of saving even a seriously weakened flower without a root system.

To nurse a sick plant, you need to create special conditions. How to revive an orchid if the roots have rotted? In the container in which the flower is to be rooted:

  • pour a thin layer of expanded clay;
  • a layer of cleaned, thoroughly steamed sphagnum is placed on top of it.
  • The leaf rosette is placed in a moist substrate until new roots appear

The substrate is carefully moistened and a leaf rosette is placed in it. Until the plant develops roots 3–5 cm long, the flower will have to constantly be under cover:

  • at air temperature from 22 to 28 °C;
  • at air humidity within 70–100%;
  • in bright diffused light for 12–14 hours a day.

Temperatures below 20 and above 33 °C inhibit root growth, but promote the proliferation of pathogenic flora and fungi.

Caring care will help the plant grow new roots.

What to do if all the roots of an orchid have rotted? Is it possible to stimulate root formation? Yes, this can be done with the help of proper care of the leaf rosette located in the greenhouse. As necessary, the substrate is slightly moistened and the greenhouse is ventilated. This is best done at night, which helps saturate the air. carbon dioxide and causes the rudiments of a future healthy root system to form faster.

The success of rooting depends on compliance temperature regime, maintaining long daylight hours and high humidity for an apartment. While the orchid is in the greenhouse, the rosette must be inspected regularly to prevent the appearance of pockets of rot.

A plant with new roots is placed under normal conditions. In four out of five cases, using this method, you can save an orchid without roots, and signs of the formation of a new root system become visible after 10–14 days. And plants with roots 3–4 cm long are planted in a regular substrate and transferred to the usual conditions for a flower.

How to save an orchid without using a greenhouse?

As in the previous case, the plant is rooted at a temperature of 20 to 27 °C, in a place shaded from direct sunlight. But how to revive an orchid in this case, when there is no home greenhouse or greenhouse?

Caring for an orchid in a glass container

The pre-treated socket is placed in a deep glass vessel. Every day, in the morning, soft, boiled or filtered water is poured into it so that its surface touches only the lower part of the remaining root system and does not wet the leaves. The orchid remains in this form for up to 6 hours. Then the water is drained and the flower is dried until the next morning.

The orchid grows roots in water with honey or sugar. There is one feature on how to revive an orchid without roots faster and more efficiently.

Add a teaspoon of honey or sugar syrup to water per liter of liquid. In addition, to moisten the substrate or water all reanimated orchids, it is useful to use:

  • specialized complex fertilizers in very low concentration;
  • feeding with iron preparation;
  • monthly treatments with a growth regulator.

How to revive an orchid that has lost not all its roots, but only part of them? In this case, the plant is still able to feed in the usual way, so you can grow the missing roots by planting the flower in a pot with a diameter of 6–8 cm with a regular substrate. Lighting for 12 hours and a temperature of 20–25 °C will cause the root buds to activate. At night, the temperature should not drop, and the humidity should be maintained at an elevated level.

An orchid with a small number of living roots is planted in a small container. Instead of watering, use fine-drip irrigation of the top layer of the substrate, or place the container with the orchid in a tray with a small amount of water for half an hour. The soil should be moistened again only after it has completely dried. New root growth begins within 1–4 weeks.

If an orchid has lost its roots, this is unpleasant, but not fatal. Contrary to popular belief, phalaenopsis is quite tenacious, and if you act quickly and correctly, it will recover after a while. Let's find out how to save an orchid without roots.

Causes of root loss

A common cause of root loss is overwatering. If the substrate is constantly wet, the velamen, the covering tissue of the roots, begins to rot. Then rotting affects the roots as a whole, and the process can be either slow or almost instantaneous. In the latter case, the plant literally falls apart: the roots die and fall off, and only a couple of leaves remain from the upper part near the growth point. Overwatering is especially dangerous when there is a lack of light, then the orchid “falls asleep” and does not absorb moisture.

The reason may be the opposite - lack of moisture in the heat dries out and kills the roots of phalaenopsis. Finally, bacterial and fungal infection, too hard and saline water, or even just old age of the plant. By the way, if mostly babies appear from the buds, and not new flower stalks, it is worth checking the health of the plant and reviewing the conditions of maintenance and microclimate.

If the roots have rotted, the leaves become limp, and the peduncle and children stop growing, and watering does not give anything, then you need to remove the plant from the pot and inspect it bottom part.

In this case, they can no longer be saved - all that remains is to cut off all the areas that have dried out, rotted and are clearly affected by necrosis. Afterwards we proceed to the resuscitation of phalaenopsis.

What you will need

  1. To save an orchid without roots, you should first disinfect the cut areas with activated carbon powder. Some people use cinnamon. It is not recommended to use preparations containing alcohol - they will only make things worse, as they will burn and dry out the weakened plant, making the growth of new roots difficult.
  2. Then the plant needs to be dried for 2–3 hours, and then treated with growth regulators, for example, Epin or Zircon. They are diluted in the proportion of 1 drop per 1 liter of water.
  3. The remainder of the root system is placed in the solution for 1–2 hours. Water should not touch the leaves.

It is important to remember that resuscitation will be successful only if the phalaenopsis receives a sufficient amount of light. If there is a deficiency, for example in winter, additional illumination with a phytolamp is necessary.

How to resuscitate

If there were babies on the phalaenopsis peduncle, inspect them. Those that managed to grow aerial roots, plant. It is recommended to cut off the peduncle itself. But it’s better not to touch the root child - division further traumatizes the mother plant.

It is possible to revive phalaenopsis both in a greenhouse and in the open air. The method is chosen based on the condition of the plant. If almost all the roots have rotted, it is better to use a greenhouse. If there are intact roots or large stumps left, and the turgor of the leaves is normal, you can do without it.

In the greenhouse

Buy a ready-made greenhouse or make it yourself from plastic box from under a cake, a bottle (only if the phalaenopsis is small) and even an aquarium. Expanded clay should be poured into the container, and slightly damp (not wet!) sphagnum moss should be placed on it. We place phalaenopsis on top.

Provide abundant and diffuse lighting Suitable temperature from +22 to +25 °C. If it's lower, high humidity will not help the plant grow new roots, but will only provoke the growth of mold. Too much heat will burn the plant and cause it to evaporate moisture instead of absorbing it. In any case, root growth will be slowed down or impossible.

While the roots are growing, it is important to ventilate the greenhouse once a day. It is advisable to do this in the evening and at night. In winter, 20 minutes of ventilation is enough, and in summer, leave the greenhouse open until the morning.

Periodically inspect the leaves and root shoots in places of contact with moss. As soon as you notice darkened, water-filled areas, dry the phalaenopsis outside the greenhouse, and then put it back on the other side.

To stimulate the growth of the root system, resuscitation should include fertilizing. They are carried out once every 10–20 days. The nitrogen content in fertilizers should not exceed 14%: root growth is provided mainly by phosphorus and potassium. A weakened orchid needs iron. Use iron chelate microfertilizer. An overdose of this drug is practically impossible, and such feeding can be done after 2-3 days. Once a month, use growth regulators, for example, Epin or Zircon.

To maintain the elasticity of the leaves, some experts recommend rubbing them with a solution of sugar or honey (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water). Fertilizer is added to the same water - glucose helps useful substances penetrate the cells. This technique is useless for atrophied leaves.

Without a greenhouse

Root growth is possible in water, but drying periods are necessary. Every day, the remainder of the root system is placed in warm filtered water for 3–6 hours, then dried. The light should be bright, but not direct, the temperature should be from +20 to +27 °C. Water should not touch the leaves. To speed up root growth, add honey or sugar to the water daily (1 teaspoon per 1 liter). It is useful to add iron chelate every 2-3 days.

Feeding with phosphorus and potassium can be done once every 15–20 days, not more often: in large doses they will provoke the growth of peduncles, not roots. Once every 2-3 weeks, use Kornevin (1 g per 1 liter of water). The plant should not be in such a solution for more than 6 hours at a time.

Theoretically, an orchid can grow roots in water without drying, but the method is very unreliable: only 10% of the plants survive, and in the future they demonstrate hypersensitivity to watering, dying at the slightest drying out.

Further care

To revive an orchid, it will take from a month to a year. This depends on the initial number of roots or their stumps, the condition of the leaves and general conditions content.

When the length of the new roots reaches 3–4 cm, the orchid can be transplanted into the ground; the main thing is to take the container not the one it was in before, but a small one, no more than 8 cm, like for a baby. A peat pot will also work. It is convenient because when the orchid grows roots, it does not need replanting: place the entire pot in a container with substrate.

After transplanting into the ground, watering is necessary as usual. To prevent the plant from dangling, it is secured on a support for 2–4 weeks.

After some time, the orchid will begin to recover. A basal baby may appear. It is not advisable to remove this baby, so as not to weaken the plant.

From this video you will learn how to revive an orchid without roots.


Phalaenopsis is, although one of the hardiest orchid species, but improper care can severely damage or even completely lose the root system. The roots rot with excess watering (or low temperature), low light, dry out, and rot from an incorrectly composed, low-quality or old substrate.

In any case, do not be upset, because the flower can still be saved.

Resuscitation is required only if 95-99% of the root system is lost, and if at least 2-3 roots of 3-4 cm each are preserved, simply remove all the missing parts and transplant the phalaenopsis into a new small pot, securing it well. And don’t forget to correct mistakes in care. If the surface of the substrate dries out too quickly, when there is still enough moisture below, do not rush to water, it is better to spray the surface. Or cover the top of the substrate with sphagnum moss, but not too tightly.

Preparing Phalaenopsis for Rescue

  1. Carefully remove from the pot, shake off the substrate, and assess the extent of the damage.
  2. Rinse the roots with warm water (25 - 30 0 C), removing any remaining substrate.
  3. Determine which parts are best to say goodbye to. Healthy roots are hard, fleshy, light green; in the middle of the pot they may be white due to lack of light, old ones may be beige or light brown. If a healthy part of the root is located further than the damaged one, it will also have to be thrown out.
  4. Dry and withered leaves do not remove them - the orchid itself will shed them when necessary.
  5. But it’s better to cut off the flower stalks; they take up too much effort. If necessary, you can leave its lower part to make it easier to fix the flower.
  6. Trim off any excess with a sterile instrument. If there are rotten or dry spots on the leaves, these too should be carefully cut back to healthy tissue.
  7. All cuts must be processed so as not to provoke rot (it can completely destroy the plant in a few days). Here opinions differ: you can use wood or Activated carbon, ash, fungicides, cinnamon. It is not recommended to use brilliant green or iodine - they leave deep burns on the plant.
  8. Additionally, soaking in a fungicide solution for 10–15 minutes will help protect against the development of fungal diseases, but the dosage should be halved from that indicated on the package.
  9. Dry the orchid for 30 minutes to 4 hours (you can even leave it for a day).

Methods for resuscitation of phalaenopsis

The choice of method depends on your capabilities and the type of phalaenopsis, and if unsuccessful, you can try another method. But in any case, do not forget to provide plenty of lighting, but without direct sunlight.

  1. Greenhouse designed to imitate the conditions of a natural habitat (just like a greenhouse). She provides high humidity air, temperature and good lighting in the absence of drafts. Under such conditions, orchids are able to grow 2cm every day.

At home, a purchased greenhouse can be replaced by an aquarium or a cut plastic bottle (5 - 10 l). A layer of fine expanded clay should be poured onto the bottom, covered with a layer of sphagnum moss, and phalaenopsis should be placed on top so that the heel from which the roots grew touches the moss.

The greenhouse is placed in the light, at a temperature of 22 - 28 0 C (but not higher than 33 0 C, as on a south window in summer) and ventilated every evening for 15 - 20 minutes (in summer it can be all night). To increase humidity, you can put a glass of boiling water in the greenhouse every 3-4 hours.

The first roots in such conditions may appear in 10–14 days, and this orchid can be planted in a new small pot as soon as the roots reach 3–4 cm. Depending on the lighting and initial condition, this process takes 1-13 months.

  1. In water Phalaenopsis takes root in 4 ways:
    • Alternating soaking and drying – the phalaenopsis is placed in a voluminous transparent container so that the base of the root is slightly higher than the bottom.

Every morning a little water is poured into the bottom so that the base is only slightly submerged in it, and after 4 - 6 (maximum 24) hours the water is drained and the orchid is dried until the next morning.

You can add glucose, sugar or honey to the water every day (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water), and once every 2-3 weeks - potassium and phosphorus fertilizers, as well as root.

The temperature should be 24 - 25 0, the lighting should be plentiful, but without direct sunlight.

  • Always in the water – the method is similar to the previous one, but the water is not drained, but only changed once a week. Not the best option, because Only 10–15% survive, and those that survive take root very hard in the substrate.
  • Above the water – also place in a container with water poured at the bottom, but the plant should not touch it. The container needs to be transparent and closeable. Every day, it is advisable to soak the plant in sweetened water for 1 hour, then dry it and return it to a closed container.
  • Upside down - the most convenient and reliable way rooting in water. The leaves are lifted towards each other, placed in a plastic glass (cut bottle) with the tips down and filled with water to a third to half the length of the leaf. Add charcoal to the water. Spray the base where the roots will be every day with a spray bottle. When the first rudiments of roots appear (in about a month), transplant the plant in its normal position into a glass with sphagnum moss.

This method is good because all the leaves are preserved, do not fall off or rot, and new ones can also grow in the process.

  1. In the substrate They are mainly reviving those phalaenopsis that have at least a couple of centimeters of roots preserved, but there are successful examples with plants completely devoid of roots. For this, different substrates are used:
    • Pack tightly moss - sphagnum , moving it slightly only from the root collar - so that the seedling does not need to be secured
    • A mixture of fine bark and moss , drained from below with fine expanded clay
    • Pure tree bark , well steamed and dried, fine fraction.

Any substrate must be moist; watering is replaced by spraying the surface of the substrate or immersing it in water at a third of the height for 30 - 40 minutes. If no roots are preserved at all, you will have to wait about a year before the development of a full-fledged, extensive horse system. To stimulate growth, it is useful to treat the leaves with vitamin B1, at the rate of 1 ampoule per 1 liter of water.

  1. On the bark - perhaps an extreme method of rooting, but it sometimes gives good results. The injured phalaenopsis is carefully fixed on a piece of bark so that its base touches the wood; treated with a solution of vitamin B1 and completely eliminate watering and spraying. After about 3 months, a root system sufficient for normal growth and development will have formed. Unfortunately, this method does not work at all in dry air.