My paph is in trouble

[nabakov5]

Ugh. So I bought a little green emerald paph (actually I saved it from the grocery store) and brought it home. It is in bud and almost in bloom. When I got it home I noticed that it was not standing up in its plastic pot at all so I carefully removed the pot to see if I could anchor the plant any better. I don't know if I did it or if it was already this way, but when I removed the pot, practically the entire root system broke off of the plant. There is only one root left and it's about two inches long and healthy. What do you think I should do? Will the plant continue to try and open its bloom with that kind of root trauma? Or should I sacrifice the spike to try and save the plant? It would just break my heart to cut the spike when it is so close to blooming, but I'm willing if it will help the plant.
-cat

[Diane]

Ahhh, the tough decisions about rescues... I guess I would consider a noid rescue plant not to be worth the angst.. I would repot it, after giving a good root hormone treatment, but let the spike continue and see if the blooms make it. That way at least you get some enjoyment out of it. If the buds blast, then cut back the spike and concentrate on the plant. Just my personal preference....

[uncasteeb]

Ahhh, the tough decisions about rescues... I guess I would consider a noid rescue plant not to be worth the angst.. I would repot it, after giving a good root hormone treatment, but let the spike continue and see if the blooms make it. That way at least you get some enjoyment out of it. If the buds blast, then cut back the spike and concentrate on the plant. Just my personal preference....

My thoughts exactly.

[Jmoney]

the plant will likely die if it is allowed to bloom, but then again, even if you cut off the bloom it may still die anyway (at the best it will be set back a great deal and will not bloom for several years). if it's not a rare variety then I would just return it to the store and get a refund, and then get another one (elsewhere).

personally I would advise against "saving" plants from various stores. just produces a lot of frustration at poorly-grown plants. much better to get a plant that is healthy to begin with--too many people are turned away from growing certain things (or orchids in general) by starting off with bad plants and then having bad outcomes.

[Gin]

I would return it . Gin