I rescued a mini orchid from Lowe's and the roots were rotting...mushy so I put new moss and replanted.
The leaves have been crinkled and winkled and now one has turned yellow. Can it be saved?

Betsy

It's very hard to save an orchid with few roots. Root health is #1 in importance when growing orchids. If it doesn't make it, next time pick one with the healthiest roots possible.

Betsy, I have had some success with rescue Phals from Lowe's ...I would recommend that you not
use the moss at all...perhaps switch to the bark mix that they sell there? Albert has some excellent advice
on one of the other threads that you might find helpful.

Shoot. I've been trying to find Albert's info so I could add a link but I can't find it! Anyone know where it is? I remember thinking I should move it so it was easy to find. I know he suggested using rooting hormone.

yes and some sanitizing step as well...physan?

I personally use "Green Light" Brand root hormone and stimulator, sold at Lowes. Any root hormone will do.
For anti-fungal's, I use a watered down solution of Physan 20. In a bath, after washing the old medium off and a spray bottle after potted/mount.

I use physan every time I fertilize.

This is helpful. I know that orchid growers have different fertilization schedules. I have, at the moment, primarily Cattleyas and Phalenopsis. I have fertilized with a balanced 20/20/20. I use well water, that has a neutral ph. No added chemicals.
Right now fertilize every other time I water. I have not added an antifungal, like Physan 20, but plan to get some. Do you mix it right in with the fertilizer?
The medium I am using for most of my orchids is "Better-Gro" Special Orchid Mix- Raw Fir Bark, hardwood charcoal, and coarse perlite. Is that a good mix for Catts and Phals?

Do you use a bloom booster when you see buds?

I would love to know if there are products that any of you have found particularly good with Catts and Phals, and whether you use Bloom Booster when you see buds. Thanks!!

I have been using MSU fertilizer for reverse osmosis water but it also comes for well water. My well water was too high in salts so i put in the RO system. I use the same fertilizer year round because it hurts my head to remember what 500 orchids want. I fertilize every three weeks but I may switch to 2 weeks in summer. That's how I adjust, by how often. But don't go by me.

Jo, I use the "Better-Gro" Special Orchid Mix for most of my plants. It seems to be the best that I can find around here, we are very limited in this area for this type of orchid medium. I have found that the bark quality varies from batch to batch, occasionally some is very black and started to break down to bright and fresh and in between. The one thing I do now is heat treat it in oven before I use it, as I found that snails were showing up in plants that were not exposed to conditions where they might be picked up.

I can get more consistent bark base potting material on line but the shipping cost is more expensive than the bark, so only use that method for the fine base bark.

I use MSU fertilizer and reverse osmosis water every other week.

When it comes to bloom boosters, be carefull. Use it sparingly when the spike shows. I found it better to alternate between Reg. fertilizer (According to species and mount/pot/meduim) and bloom booster. If the plant has buds, I wouldn't use booster, it seems it shortens the bloom life.

Ahhh good point!

Wow,
thanks. I have the Better Grow Special Orchid Mix. I guess I chose right by luck. Thanks Ken! Kathy, is there anyone selling MSU fertilizer around here? I am getting our tap water analyzed, so I will know which version to get. I know that Ph is pretty close to 7, but I have no idea about nutrients. Thanks for the advice Albert. I was about to apply to one of my plants that is in the early stage of budding, but I will not withhold and wait until I see someone spiking! You are all very helpful. So far, thanks to your advice, I have yet to kill a plant.

Happy weekend!
JO

Back to you Jo! Glad we are helping! I get my fertilizer from repotme.com.