Orchids in danger-Help

[Dia]

I am desperatly trying to salvage the two new orchids i just purchased. One is a Shelob 'Red Spider', the other a Supersuk "Eureka" * Raisin Pie "Hsingying", both were exposed to very direct sunlight and high heat for a matter of and hour, i hate to say, perhaps more.

As soon as i was able to get them home, i watered the roots, and spritzed them warm water, then gave them a steam bath by leaving them in the bathroom- while leaving the shower on to create the steam.

The Red Spider has lost, though they are trying to revive, a few of it's alreay open blooms. It has a bit of browning on some base leaves, and the second shoot with only buds may be a complete loss because it started to wilt and i caught it in time to tie it loosely to a stake before it creased itself completely in two.

The Eureka/ Hsinying has suffered very little leaf damage, it just seems that the stem with single bud is wilted and i am trying to nurse it back to it's previous sturdiness.

Does anyone have suggestions as nursing these two special orchids back to health? This is my first time really growing orchids, and i would hate to have lost my first attempts.

[orchidaddict789]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum!

By Shelob "Red Spider", that's only the hybrid name, so I guess the genus name is miltassia (mtssa), a type of oncidium intergeneric. And And the Supersuk "Eureka"... should be a paphiopedilum (paph), I think.

When orchids are moved, stress can cause flowers to abort prematurely and buds to blast because conditions are changed. Unless the orchids have bad roots, it shouldn't be a worry as sometimes orchids shed buds/flowers when brought home. Once a bud is wilting, it usually means it's a goner, but don't get hopeless, because there may be a tiny chance for plumping, or even if you lose it, it'll bloom in the future!

It's okay for old leaves to brown and fall off. If tips are brown, then it may be overfertilized. If brown occurs in patches, it can be sunburn, fungus, harmless leaf spot, or virus.

Please check the FAQs for more info!
http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/cultivate/care.html
Find the green box and click oncidium or paphiopedilum! Good luck!

[Dia]

Thanks for the helpful information. I'm just starting out my recreational growing and was very worried that i ruined my frist attempts.

[orchidaddict789]

You're welcome! Orchids are fun to know once you know some info about how to grow them. I hope growing orchids will give you lots of pleasure and good luck!

[Lore]

Hi Dia, welcome aboard! orchidaddict had great advice, so I've nothing to add, just wanted to welcome you. Good luck with your plants!