Dehydrated orchid solution?

[Phyrex]

Since I've dehydrated the majority of my 'chids I was trying to find a solution. I found this online but it looks a little funky. Did anyone ever try this, and if so did it work at all? Any comments are welcome.

Tip to help out dehydrated orchids.
In order to help revive a dehydrated orchid, it needs energy rather than water. Try soaking the plant for several hours in this solution and then wash it in clear water.
2 parts sugar
1 part drinking alcohol (any kind)
7 parts cold water
1 pinch of Epsom salts
1 drop Superthrive
1 drop liquid dish soap

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I have used sugar with seedlings when moving them from flask to compot. I have used epsom salts with tomato plants. I of course have used water, superthrive and dish soap on orchids. The drinking alcohol is a new one, but I suspect that it may be in there like the dish soap to kill pests. I have never heard of this particular mixture, but would not be surprised if someone actually uses it on her or his orchids.

cheers,
BD

[clintdawley]

I have heard of this mixture and have used it quite a few times when I got a few plants that were "questionable".

The alcohol and sugar are for energy, and the drop of dish soap just helps the alcohol and water mix better, maybe. I use Vodka..

[bc_bareroots]

The alcohol and sugar are for energy, and the drop of dish soap just helps the alcohol and water mix better, maybe.

I believe the dish soap helps hold the solution to the plant.

I use Vodka..

I'm a Gin man!


:P

[Ron-NY]

When I receive bare root orchids that are a bit dehydrated, I soak in water with a bit of sugar added.

How badly did you dehydrate them?

Are they potted or mounted?

Which types of orchids is the problem with?

How are the roots?

If potted, you may just be better off watering them and creating a humid environment for them.

[ischel1]

OK Clint is the Vodka for the plant or should I drink it????? After a couple of shots the chid might look a whole lot better!

[Phyrex]

When I receive bare root orchids that are a bit dehydrated, I soak in water with a bit of sugar added.

1. How badly did you dehydrate them?
2. Are they potted or mounted?
3. Which types of orchids is the problem with?
4. How are the roots?
5. If potted, you may just be better off watering them and creating a humid environment for them.

1. They didn't get water for 3 weeks and I probably dehydrated them before that because I didn't want to kill them by overwatering (watered every 7 days).
2. They are all potted.
3. Cattleya (leaves are wrinkled).
4. The roots that aren't in the medium seem to be fine though. Probably because of the humidity trays.
5. Done that for now, just hope they recover. I know the p-bulbs don't get plump again but will the leaves un-wrinkle?

[Shaydra]

I wouldn't mind knowing the answer to your #5 myself. I have a few root damaged catts (from former root rot)... and would a solution like this work on rootless or almost rootless plants to help give them energy?

I have 2 that are just about gone and the p-bulbs are completely tapped with very little new growth or new roots. One plant had a new growth that got to about 1" high, then stopped, probably due to the tapped out p-bulbs. The remaining leaves look rather cooked and shriveled and.. well.. sad.

[cherublace]

bump. anybody care to answer the wrinkled leaves questions above? I see some of mine starting to wrinkle, what's up? All the plants in question have new roots and growth but are becoming more wrinkled. thanks.

[clintdawley]

The old growths naturally wrinkle as they age and lose roots. Wrinkled leaves on new growth usually indicates low humidity or letting the plant get too dry between waterings. What is the plant in question?

bump. anybody care to answer the wrinkled leaves questions above? I see some of mine starting to wrinkle, what's up? All the plants in question have new roots and growth but are becoming more wrinkled. thanks.