Sad and Rootless Fairrieanum

[orchidlady]

The other day I went to my local OS meeting and one of the members is moving out of state and decided to dump (seriously ) his collection of abused and neglected orchids. All but one of the plants was in very poor condition due to being left outside and uncared for. Some showed cold damage from the recent cold weather here.

I don't normally take on "project" orchids, but somehow had a very sad looking Paph. fairrieanum from the neglected collection follow me home. I love fairries, so I think this one knew it and managed to jump in my car. The poor thing was looking quite unhappy, but not entirely dead (at least not yet).

I gave it the emergency repotting treatment with a thorough soak in some Superthrive/water. The rotted roots got removed. There was only one root about 1" long that was salvageable . I guess I will see what happens now. I was somewhat surprised that it looked a little less wrinkly today and hope that's a good sign .

Here is the poor thing



Here is what it should look like. This is my pride and joy-a very healthy and vigorous fairrieanum that is setting at least one bud this year .



Susan

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I hope it turns around for you, Susan! The second one sure looks like it loves your care.

Cheers,
BD

[etex]

That is so sad that a society member would neglect his orchids that way. You did a real good deed bringing it home for TLC. Hope it recovers. The second paph looks great- good culture.

[Halloamey]

Good that you found it ! Keep us updated with the project, its always nice to see saves ! By the way you might want to try using plain vermiculite as medium and let the pot standing in water, a friend of mine has some monstrous Phrags and paphs growing this way that he saved from a super idiotic nursery.

[bench72]

Fingers crossed this one pulls through Susan... I have to say that fairrieanum's I find harder to grow.. but you seem to have a knack for it... look how loverly the other one is!

[Ephemera]

Susan,

Talk and encourage it to come back...they hear and feel personal attention!
Best of luck! Cheers, Michael

[orchidlady]

Susan,

Talk and encourage it to come back...they hear and feel personal attention!
Best of luck! Cheers, Michael

Yes, that is one of the most important parts of orchid culture.

you might want to try using plain vermiculite as medium and let the pot standing in water,

That's an interesting thought-thank you.

Susan

[wonderlen]

Keep it up. fairrienum is not a very difficult plant to grow, and i found that species from 'Paphiopedilum' sections are much easier to recover from root loss than any other paph. species.

[orchidgirl]

I hope this baby recovers under your care,by the looks of your other one it most likely will!