please help me... in trouble, sick Moth Orchid

[Original flower]

Dear Orchid friends, Three days ago, I rescued two beautiful Moth Orchids from being thrown away. They where gifts to dear friends, but unfortunately the gift wrap(plastic, tissue,ribbons) where never taken off the pots. So the poor orchids sat in this suffocating environment for some months. When I saw them, I noticed that a rotting smell was coming from them... So I asked if I could try and help them. First I unwrapped the pots, but the tissue had sunken in was smally, and stuck to them. Not knowing what to do, I put them in the sink with warm water (like hurt children) and soaked off the smelly tissue from the the plants bases, the "fluffy stuff", and the pots. They are now in the east windows of my room... trying to air out? Then last night, I noticed black smelly slime in the base of the leaves stem, on one of the Orchids. Then this morning its two lovely leaves let go, it was dark and mushy at the base? It still has one leaf, it still has a stem with two blooms. Both Orchids will soon loose their blooms ... I will cut them back? But its this one poor Orchid that so concerns me, is it dying, can I save it... what should i do? I am a poor and humble Zen student. I live at a Zen Buddhist Center, in Boston. I pray to them, they sit on my Alter with Buddha! Is this going to be a lesson in impermanance? I have always loved Orchids, but I dont know how to maintain them... please help me save them?

[Ron-NY]

welcome...is the base of the plant black and mushy? Were there any viable roots? Let me know and I will advise on how to try to save these, if they are not beyond being saved.

The GBBCC has the best vegetarian food I have had in quite some time.

[Original flower]

Hi Ron, thank you. No the base isn't mushy or black...yet. Viable roots... there seems to be alot of roots going on in there. I have taken some of the spongey stuff out to let some air in... and don't smell any more rot.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I am so sorry to hear about these orchids. Good for you trying to save them. If you can post a photo of the plant and roots, please do so. Cut the flower spikes off now. They only pull energy away from the plant. Good luck.

Cheers,
BD

[Original flower]

Alright... think I am going to cry. I will try and find a camera to take some pictures. Please have patience with me, I am so new to this.

[Original flower]

Did it, cut off the flower stem. Now she is just a leaf and lots of squiggly roots? I won't be able to get the camera right away.... what should I do for her in the mean time?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Let her roots dry out a bit so that she recovers from the rotting environment. Keep her out of direct sunlight. In a day or so, you should run water over the roots and then let them air dry. Once we get a look at the roots situation, better advice can be offered. I would suggest potting her up, but better wait until we have a look.

PS: Put the flower spike in a vase of water. It will last a long time like that if not already damaged.

Cheers,
BD

[Original flower]

I can replant the spike? It has two blooms on it, I put it in a vase and the "little faces" are so pretty. I will write back when I have pictures, thank you so much! Blessings, Sharon

[Brutal_Dreamer]

No, the spike will not replant, but it will last awhile in a vase.

Cheers,
BD

[Ron-NY]

Yes, remove the flower spike, you can put it in water and leave it on your alter.
Keep the medium damp but not wet. Leave the plant in shade but in an area of high humidity until we sort this out for you.