How the heck did this happen?

516maria
by 516maria

Is this “orchid” mess still viable.? Any quick tips....no websites......for orchid success. I have purchased sooooo many....but have never had one rebloom. I actually have a pretty good green thumb.

Yikes😝

  14 answers
  • Gray or white roots indicate that they need more water. Try soaking them in water for 2 minutes and repot. Some of the roots usually show, but it also may need a bigger pot.

  • 516maria 516maria on Jul 08, 2020

    Thanks. I’ll try that

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jul 08, 2020

    If you figure out the secret please post your tips. That's an elusive one for me as well.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 08, 2020

    Hello there,

    I would say it might have needed a bit of orchid food. Take it out of the pot cut off all the old roots gone brown, save any that are showing a tiny bit of green at the ends or are fat and plump. Clean all the old compost of the roots and wash them with clean water. Re-pot in fresh orchid compost. Most important thing you can do is to buy a book on the subject of orchids. Different orchids require different regimes. Well worth the money! You can sometimes buy second hand books on eBay etc. Best wishes from another Orchid fan.

  • They like humid swampy weather. Like in your bathroom

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 08, 2020

    We kept our orchids outside (we lived in Austin). There was a shade clothe over them to protect from direct sun and gave them a shower at least once a day. Also found they tended to do better when mounted onto pieces of oak. Why oak? Well to be honest I am not sure but the business I worked for mounted all of their orchids on oak pieces and hung them on the wall.

    If the orchid air roots are firm and white, they are healthy and you don’t need to do anything at all. Just accept that this is normal behavior. According to orchid experts, you should definitely not remove the roots. There’s a good chance you’ll harm the plant or introduce a dangerous virus.

  • Mfe49270917 Mfe49270917 on Jul 08, 2020

    Orchids do best in light but indirect with tight containers almost root bound like your pic loose special orchid soil it’s very chunky is recommended and water only with ice cubes a couple a week is fine they don’t like wet roots and ice melts slowly enough to absorb

  • Lyadonna Howard Lyadonna Howard on Jul 08, 2020

    every year, my elder son buys me a beautiful orchid...i have killed them all except for the last one he got me Mother's Day 2019. My flowers went and i thought, this is it. Time for trash until my sister in law told me to set it in a window and every Sunday, place 3 ice cubes in it. I have done that and my roots are growing like crazy, leaves are green...no flower yet. May take years but, it's worth the wait. It's not dead and i look forward to my first new beautiful pink flower one of these days. Worth a shot?



  • Cindy Cindy on Jul 08, 2020

    Hi 516maria. Orchids should be repotted once a year. Remove all the dead roots then put it in a glass of water. Let it set in the water overnight. Repot it in a bigger pot using orchid soil. Good luck 516maria.

  • Deb K Deb K on Jul 09, 2020

    Hello 516maria, hope this helps you out,

    Examine the roots to see if there is any green, trim off all that is not green, this video will explain if you have anything worth saving,

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_qsadrDZPA

  • Homeroad Homeroad on Jul 09, 2020

    It isn't looking too good. I think I'd give up on it unless there is a bulb under the dirt.

  • Sharon Sharon on Jul 11, 2020

    There are plenty of videos on YouTube on how to care for your orchids. I trim those dead air roots if they don't green up after watering. I also give my orchids a orchid fertilizer in the water I use to water them. Don't put in a window with direct sunlight, mine like light but more indirect which makes the blooms last longer.