IT WORKED!!!

[IdahoOrchid]

As I have mentioned several times I purchased several noid orchids from a local home improvement store. One did not do very well and continued to degrade no matter what I did: over water, under water, humidity tent.

Anyway, as a last ditch effort I wrapped the think in moss and rubberbanded a piece of saran type wrap around it. I did my weekly check of it and low and behold there is a very small bud forming at the base of the last, shrivelled, sickly yellow green psudo bulb!!!

Now it will probably be three to four years before I get to see what the flower looks like, right?

[Molly Taco]

YEA YEA !!!!!!Here's to Mother Nature !!!
CIn

[gerneveyn]

Good work! What kind is it?

[IdahoOrchid]

Good work! What kind is it?

It is a NOID, which means No ID. It is most likely some sort of oncidium hybrid though, since that is what they typically sell.

[sake of silence]

Just get rid of it. You are going to use space on a plant that has a minimal chance of survival, in which if it does survive it is so stressed that it wont be able to flower for 3 years maybe. Save your mind instead of the sickly plant.

[IdahoOrchid]

Toss it? I don't think that is what I should/would/will do. Every experience can be learned from. By doing this with this "trash" I learn something that may help me know how to save another "more valuable" plant.

If it does survive, as it seems to be trying to do, I can give it to my mother in law and chalk up some more brownie points. If it does not, then what have I lost?

[Joan]

Good for you!! I hope you learn a lot and win many brownie points.

[ang709]

As long as someone's willing to spend the time and effort, (and, yes, risk the frustration) why not give the plant a chance? Especially if it's already making an effort to come back? And even if it is "only" a NOID, I believe value, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[jrod]

I'm doing the same thing with some shirvelled back bulbs that I got free with an order. There's three NOID Catts and a NOID Onc. It's always a good experience, especially for a novice grower, to bring back a plant from the brink. Then you'll know the best way to save something under your growing conditions. I'm getting lucky, because these guys are mostly severely bruised and dehydrated, but it sounds like you've had a much tougher time. Congrats on the rescue. Now bloom that sucker, and pass it on to another newbie, so that they can try their hand on a freebie, and continue the learning process.

[ATester]

Toss it? I don't think that is what I should/would/will do. Every experience can be learned from. By doing this with this "trash" I learn something that may help me know how to save another "more valuable" plant.

If it does survive, as it seems to be trying to do, I can give it to my mother in law and chalk up some more brownie points. If it does not, then what have I lost?

I agree...don't chuck it until you know for certain that there is no hope (and even then I still hold onto it for another month or so just in case). You are absolutley right about learning from the experience...that's also a reason why I have flasked NOIDs...every little bit of experience gained helps further down the road. I know there are those who poo-poo the thought of wasting the time, but it is better to learn on a NIOD big box store plant and learn how to save it then to try with a rarer and fail, adding another tag to your drawer of memorials (I have started mine...and no, none of the flasks are on that list).

Keep up the good work, expirement, keep notes...they're far more valuable than you can imagine!