How to revive an orchid - at home without roots

How to revive an orchid? A similar question is usually asked by beginning flower growers who, out of ignorance or inexperience, have flooded the plant with water, which leads to rotting of the root system, or have minimized watering to such an extent that the flower has dried out. The question arises, is it possible to do something at home to breathe life into the orchid? Let's figure this out. Basically, it all depends on the specific situation. You need to understand exactly what happened to the plant, and then choose the right algorithm for solving the problem, if the flower can be saved at all.

Note! The most dangerous period for orchids is considered to be autumn-winter. This is explained by a drop in temperature outside, which leads to the need to turn on the heating system or appliances at home. This, in turn, leads to a decrease in air humidity and an increase in room temperature. Lighting also has its influence, which in winter is usually somewhat worse due to the fact that there is less daylight.

But in the warm season, orchids feel great. They can easily tolerate the absence of lighting, changes in humidity, and temperature changes. As a result, the grower must respond in a timely manner to the changing season and adjust the care of the plant, maintaining optimal conditions.

Causes of orchid wilting

The reasons for orchid wilting at home vary greatly. Typically, a grower notices that something is wrong with a plant when he notices limp leaves. Moreover, keep in mind that if only the lower leaves wither, and the upper ones are healthy and have a dark green tint, then everything is in order. If the vegetative mass withers both above and below, this is a cause for concern. If you do not begin to correct the situation, the leaves will quickly turn yellow, fall off, and the plant itself will die. In other words, if you notice leaf wilting, immediately look for the cause.

The main causes of wilting include the following:

Overheat. It is usually observed if the flower is kept in a room with high temperature. Overheating can also result from direct sunlight on the plant, which leads to rapid loss of moisture. As a result, the leaves wither and eventually dry out. There is a basic method for solving the current situation. First you need to remove the plant to a dark place and keep it there for two to three hours. After “resting” in the shade, you can buy an orchid and spray the leaves. You should not expect that the ochidea will immediately come to life, since this requires at least two to three days, or even more, depending on the degree of wilting. Do not forget to take care of suitable growing conditions for the plant to prevent the situation from reoccurring in the future.
Excessive or insufficient watering. In the first case, the problem is the high humidity of the substrate in the pot, which leads to rotting of the root system. Lack of moisture, on the contrary, causes the roots to dry out. To correct the situation, you will need to resuscitate the orchid (if possible), and then follow the care recommendations.
The amount of fertilizer used. It is necessary to monitor how much fertilizer is used. Particular attention is paid to the proportions of substances (nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and other microelements) necessary for the orchid that are contained in the fertilizer. In some cases, a flower dies from an excessive amount of bait, because the roots are poisoned. The disease manifests itself in wilting and yellowing of leaves, discoloration of roots and their rotting. Below is information that will tell you what to do if the root system has rotted. There is almost always a chance to “revive” a plant that seems hopeless.
Parasites and harmful insects in the soil. The most common parasitic beetles are called click beetles. They feed on the roots of the plant. Treatment involves washing the roots with warm running water, treating them with pest repellents and replanting the plant in a pot with a new substrate. In the photo you can see what the larvae of click beetles look like.

Advice! It is advisable to give preference to small and elongated pots for growing orchids. In such containers, the substrate will dry out better between waterings, which means that the likelihood of root rotting will be minimized.

Is it possible to grow an orchid from a leaf?

The leaves do not have a growing point . And it is impossible to grow them from a leaf. That's what the experts say;
Can. Confirmed by amateur flower growers. They do it and show it.

An orchid can be grown from a single leaf.

The result of patience and perseverance :

Water in container;

Growing a single leaf orchid requires patience.
The leaves were placed in water;
The bases of the leaves are not immersed in water.

How to properly revive a plant?

How to properly revive a plant with rotten, frozen or dried roots? You can almost always solve a problem, even if the case seems hopeless. It will be possible to correct the situation if the plant was flooded, found frozen (the plant must be allowed to thaw at a temperature below room temperature, and then begin resuscitation) or dried out. The algorithm is always the same. However, the sooner a problem with the root system is noticed, the greater the chances of successfully resuscitating the flower. First you need to examine the orchid to assess the extent of the damage. To do this you need to pay attention to the roots:

Healthy roots are quite fleshy, dense and elastic.
Their color depends on the age of the flower: young ones are light green, old ones are gray or brownish. If the plant has not been watered for a long time, the root system will be almost white, and after watering it will be rich green.
If the roots are feeding the plant, they will be smooth, hard and dry.

It is most convenient to examine the roots by removing the substrate and washing the underground part of the plant. So, the following will indicate rotting:

Darkening of the root system.
When you press on the root, liquid will flow.
The roots have a collapsed and thread-like appearance.
There are slimy and wet areas on the root system.

Note! Dried roots will be noticeable immediately. They will become dry and brittle.

Rotten and dried roots cannot be saved. They need to be cut using a sharp, disinfected device. You need to trim so as to capture a small part of healthy tissue. Pruning will not affect the viability of the plant, which will be properly cared for in the future.

Next, you need to process the sections using ground cinnamon or crushed activated carbon. Any of these products has disinfectant properties. Then leave the roots to dry. After this, you can immerse the root system in the fungicide solution for about 10-15 minutes to protect the plant from damage by harmful fungi. Healthy areas are treated with growth stimulants to accelerate the growth of the root system and increase immunity to diseases.

Why does it rot and why is it dangerous?

Root rotting is associated with improper care. Unfavorable conditions lead to the development of fungi and bacteria on the roots. They penetrate the protective shell and destroy internal cells. A slight violation of care and damage to small roots is enough for the disease to begin to spread throughout the entire root system.

If you do not help the orchid, rotting will destroy the entire root system, which will cause the death of the green pet. To save the plant, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the disease and carry out therapeutic measures.

If the orchid's immunity is weak, rot can completely destroy the roots in a few days. Therefore, when it is detected, treatment measures must be carried out immediately.

Improper care

Rotting orchids can be caused by various reasons:

Excessive watering leads to deterioration in the respiration of the roots, they die, and rot appears. Gradually, rotting spreads to large organs.
Lack of sun reduces the plant's need for moisture, which leads to the same consequences as overwatering.
A dense substrate impairs root respiration, as does excessive watering. Any mixture becomes compacted over time, which leads to rotting.
A chemical burn causes damage to the root membrane. It is a consequence of an increase in the concentration of mineral fertilizers in the feeding solution.
Mechanical damage to the roots due to falling or pests causes the death of part of the root system and “opens the gate” to infections.

To save an orchid, it is necessary to remove the cause of rotting:

move the plant to a bright, safe place;
reduce watering;
change the substrate in a timely manner;
adhere to the dosage when diluting fertilizers.

Otherwise, treatment measures will not help.

Diseases

Fungi and bacteria cause rot, but they only affect plants if the conditions have been violated. Fungal infections are most often associated with overwatering, especially when there is insufficient lighting.

When watering, moisture enters the velamen, but is not absorbed by the exodermis. A favorable environment is created for the development of fungi. Some species take as little as six hours to begin eating away at the root. The mycelium grows throughout all organs of the orchid, penetrating the stem and leaves.

Many spores of fungi that cause decay are around us. They belong to the natural soil flora. Without overwatering, most fungal organisms are harmless. Only excess moisture makes them dangerous.

Orchid left without roots

What to do if the orchid has dried out or rotted and is left without roots? This question arises for those gardeners whose plant has lost almost its entire root system. Even in this case, there is a chance to restore the plant with proper care and patience. There are three main methods of revival:

Using a greenhouse.
Through regular watering and drying.
Using an ordinary substrate.

It is very important to choose the most effective method. First you need to assess the condition of the plant. The duration of rehabilitation depends on this. On average, a flower that has lost up to 60% of its root system will need at least one month to recover. But a plant that, for any reason, has lost 90% or more of its roots will recover within eight to twelve months. In any case, it is very important to ensure proper maintenance and care.

So, what to look for when choosing a method to save an orchid? Consider the condition of the affected color, the number and condition of the remaining leaves, the presence of root primordia formed in the lower part of the leaf rosette (without this growth point, resuscitation will be more problematic). It is also worth paying attention to the conditions that the grower can provide for the orchid during the period of resuscitation.

Reanimation of a flower in greenhouse conditions

Resuscitating a flower in greenhouse conditions is considered the simplest and most effective. A florist will need a windowed greenhouse where he can achieve comfortable temperatures and high humidity on a constant basis.

In principle, the procedure for resuscitating a plant is simple:

You need to take a container in which the flower will be rooted, and first pour a thin layer of expanded clay into it, and then cleaned sphagnum moss (it is advisable to steam it first).
Then you should place the root rosette in the prepared container and install it in the greenhouse.

Note! In the greenhouse, it is necessary to maintain humidity in the range of 70%-100%, temperature from 22 to 28 degrees (temperatures below 20 and above 33 degrees will lead to the fact that root growth will be suspended, and the proliferation of fungi and pathogenic flora will occur quickly), bright and diffused lighting for 12-14 hours a day on an ongoing basis until the flower has formed roots at least 3-5 centimeters long.

This method is suitable even in cases where all the roots of the orchid have rotted. Monitor the condition of the plant after carrying out the above-described manipulations. If necessary, the greenhouse must be ventilated and the substrate moistened. It is advisable to do this at night. The purpose of the procedure is to saturate the air with carbon dioxide and accelerate the formation of the rudiments of a new root system of flowers.

The success of the procedure depends on many factors, including maintaining the required conditions. At the same time, regularly inspect the plant to get rid of pockets of rot when they first appear.

With proper care, the first roots will appear after 10-14 days. You can transfer the orchid to its usual conditions (plant it in a pot with a substrate and remove it from the greenhouse) no earlier than roots 3-4 centimeters long have formed.

Resuscitation using watering and drying

Resuscitating a house with the help of watering and drying is quite possible. This method is suitable for those gardeners who do not have a greenhouse. You will need a deep glass vessel into which you need to place a pre-treated (trimmed from rotten roots and with treated cut areas) leaf rosette. Every day you need to pour water into the container (necessarily soft, filtered or boiled), and so that the outlet only touches the water, and the leaves remain unaffected.

The plant is left in this form for six hours. Then the water is drained and the flower is left to dry until the next morning. Then the procedure is repeated.

Advice! You can make sweet or honey water for faster formation of new roots. To do this, you need to dilute one teaspoon of honey or one tablespoon of sugar in one liter of water.

Additionally, it is useful to use the following tools:

complex fertilizers, but they should be used in low concentration;
preparations with a high iron content for feeding;
growth regulators for monthly treatment.

Revitalizing an orchid by planting it in a substrate

Reviving an orchid by planting it in a substrate is an alternative method that can be used if the plant has not lost all its roots, but only part of them. A distinctive feature is the ability to feed the flower in the usual way. The missing roots can be grown by planting the plant in a pot.

The diameter of the container should be about 6-8 centimeters. You can use an ordinary substrate in which all orchids grow. But it must be fresh. It is imperative to maintain the temperature in the range of 22-25 degrees and lighting for at least 12 hours a day. In this case, it will be possible to activate root growth. Remember that even at night you cannot reduce either the temperature or the humidity (it can even be increased a little) so as not to slow down the formation of the root system.

The plant cannot be watered; it can be irrigated, and only the top layer of the substrate. You can also place the orchid pot in a tray with a small amount of water. The next moistening of the soil is carried out after complete drying. New roots will begin to appear 2-4 weeks after resuscitation begins.

Root growth in children

In most cases, orchid babies also form roots . There are cases when such roots are missing.

Few options:

You can continue care and wait for the roots to appear;
Or you can stimulate their appearance : Equip a nest of damp moss at the base of the baby. And make a neat wrap of cling film;
Reinforce it with thread;
If it is on a peduncle, install an additional stick;
Ventilate daily;
Spray with Kornevin.

Carefully cut off the baby without roots. Place it in a greenhouse to grow roots.

Caring for an orchid after “revival”

Caring for the orchid after “revival” is very important. It guarantees that the plant will fully recover and will soon delight you with the appearance of flowers. The rules are simple. It is enough to follow these recommendations:

You need to water the plant very carefully. It is advisable to use the method of irrigating the top layer of the substrate or pour water (a little) into the pan and place the pot with the plant in it for 20-25 minutes.
It is better to refrain from feeding for at least one month after “revival”, so that the flower does not react negatively to the fertilizer. Next, you can introduce fertilizing in small quantities. If you notice darkening of the roots, wilting of flowers or dulling of leaves, stop using fertilizer immediately. Such symptoms indicate poisoning or burns of the root system.
During watering, you can monitor whether there are pests on the plant. When the root system is moistened, they will crawl up the stem. If they are detected, you need to change the substrate in the pot and treat the roots of the plant with a fungicide.
The health of an orchid depends on the quality of the substrate. Use only good and not too dense soil so that the plant feels comfortable and problems are eliminated in the future.
Maintaining comfortable conditions: temperature in the range from 22 to 25 degrees, humidity at 30%-40%, lighting for at least 10-12 hours every day.
Inspect the plant regularly to prevent diseases, pests, rot and other problems.

Remember! Neither fertilizers nor growth preparations should be used during the recovery period of the orchid after damage. This can lead to the root system of the flower being poisoned.

Features of care during the period of active root growth

Due to the lack of a good root system, the plant does not receive water and nutrition properly. The main thing is to follow all the subtleties of the chosen method for extension.

If you follow all the rules of care, the orchid will soon show new roots.

Do not place the plant in direct sun. Avoid overheating or hypothermia of the orchid.

How to resuscitate a child who is dying?

How to resuscitate a child who is dying? Ideally, the baby should be separated from the mother specimen when roots have formed at least two to three centimeters. If the baby’s roots are not formed, then it will be problematic for her to survive. But you can always try. To do this, you can do this in the following ways:

Using a greenhouse. Detailed instructions are given above. The only condition is daily watering of the sphagnum.
Stimulate growth by watering and drying daily. Above is an algorithm explaining how to do this correctly.

In any case, it is advisable to first soak the baby in any growth accelerator (stimulator).

The most popular growth stimulants (drugs responsible for activating the growth of the root system and increasing plant resistance to diseases) include:

Store-bought products, for example, “Zircon” or “Epin”. Any of the drugs is diluted on the basis that one drop of the product is enough per liter of water. You need to soak the plant in the resulting solution and leave it for from twenty minutes to two hours, depending on the degree of damage to the roots.
Succinic acid. It does an excellent job of stimulating the growth of plant roots. It also helps to increase vegetative mass. The product is diluted on the basis that one tablet of acid is needed for one liter of water. The resulting solution can be watered or sprayed on the flower, but not more than once a month.
"Fitosporin". This drug is recommended for use if the cause of plant wilting was a fungal disease. The instructions for the drug indicate how to properly dilute the product. You need to soak the flower in the resulting solution for 15-20 minutes. Next, plant it in a substrate or greenhouse.
Cytokinin paste. It activates growth, improves metabolism, promotes the appearance of buds and flowers on the plant. You need to dip a toothpick into the paste and treat the plant buds and root sections. Apply the product in a thin layer so that the plant does not get burned.
"Kornevin". The drug is recommended for phalaenopsis orchids, which are very common among gardeners. The product must be diluted according to the instructions indicated on the package. Next, the roots of the plant are placed in the solution and left for up to twenty minutes. The result is a strengthened immune system, increased vitality and an increased ability to recover more quickly.

Remember that you first need to familiarize yourself with how to resuscitate an orchid, decide on the method preferred in a particular case, and then begin the procedure. This will guarantee that everything will be done correctly, which means that the flower will be able to be revived and will delight in blooming again. Below you can find a video that details how to resuscitate an orchid at home.

How to revive an orchid: methods available at home

An orchid left without roots should not be thrown away. With proper care and patience, a tropical plant turns out to be very hardy and life-loving. Experienced flower growers advise considering three methods of revitalization:

in a home greenhouse;
without a greenhouse, using regular watering and drying;
by planting in a regular substrate.

Before resuscitating an orchid, you need to assess its condition and choose the most effective and fastest method. If a flower that has lost less than 60% of its roots manages to return to health in a month, then an orchid completely deprived of its root system may require special maintenance and care for up to a year.

The choice of how to save an orchid without roots depends on:

on the condition of the affected flower;
on the number and condition of leaves;
from the presence of horse primordia formed in the lower part of the leaf rosette.

The conditions that a grower can create to resuscitate an orchid without roots are also of considerable importance.

Signs of Root Rotting

Root rot of orchids in the first stages of development does not affect their above-ground parts. The leaves of the flower can remain in good condition even when most of the roots have already rotted. Therefore, the rotting of the roots of this plant is easier to determine visually.

Most orchids growing indoors are epiphytes. They do without soil, and a substrate of pieces of bark and moss is necessary not for nutrition, but for fixing the plant in the pot. Also, for many types of orchids, transparent pots are used, in which the root system is clearly visible.

If you regularly inspect the plant, it will not be difficult to see the beginning of root rot.

Healthy orchid roots are silver-green in color , which changes to bright green after watering. Rotten roots have a yellow tint or darken and become soft. Over time, if the plants are not watered too intensively, they dry out.

When you try to pick off a dry root, a hard central vein remains. If an orchid has lost all its roots, its leaves eventually turn yellow and dry out, after which the plant dies.

What to do if an orchid dies from pests

If an orchid is damaged by wireworms, it will need to be replanted. Here's how to do it:

Remove the plant from the pot and wash its roots in warm water.
Remove the substrate along with the pests and carefully inspect the root system.
Remove the larvae hidden in it and cut off damaged and rotten roots.
Disinfect the cut areas (with cinnamon or ground activated carbon) and let them dry.
Transplant the orchid into a new pot, filling the lower part of the flower with new substrate.

To prevent the orchid from being damaged again by the click beetle, try to remove this pest from your apartment. For prevention, you can water the flower from time to time with a weak (light pink) solution of potassium permanganate. This will not harm the plant, but the larvae will die.