This orchid….

[youngestisapsycho]

My mum unpotted my orchid and put it in a vase of water about 2 months ago. It now looks like this.
What do I do with it??
Thank you!

I think if it's got rotten bits, then you probably ought to cut them off and then pot it up in the proper stuff again. Sorry I haven't kept orchids before but I know they need to be in the right medium. Rotten bits can be a problem in plants.

Some of those roots look really healthy. I'd cut off the dead ones, keep the healthy ones and pot on. You can use orchid compost (bark based) or if you would rather you can grow them as hydroponics or semi-hydroponics, just suspended into water.

I keep orchids but am no expert. I would let it dry out for a few hours then cut off all the roots that feel mushy or hollow. The healthy roots are the ones that look a bit silvery and green when dry. The ones that stay dark brownish free are the dead ones. Then it depends.

My understanding is that if you are going to just suspend them in water the vase should be clear. Or you can pot them up using orchid potting mix. If they are in orchid potting mix, I only water every 2-3 weeks. I completely submerge them in water for about 5 mins. Then they leave on the draining board for excess water to run off. And in between spray the roots and leaves with orchid feed once a week. I repot them every 2-3 years.

Very healthy looking root growth! That's surprising to me, given that orchids favour such a free-draining growing medium. I must water mine more.

Yes, plant in orchid bark. The bark I'm using atm is actually reptile bedding bark from Pets at Home as that seems to be a bit cheaper and more available than bark marketed for orchids.

I agree, cut off all the brown or decayed roots and leave all the silver/green ones. Then repot it in orchid bark, in a clear pot. The roots photosynthesise and need light.

I though these were the bits that grow upwards usually and turn into the flower stalk? So I actually need to plant it all back in orchid bark and then I assume the flower stalks will grow?

They’re roots. The flower stalks do look similar to roots when they’re small, but they definitely look like roots and would be growing up if they were flower stalks. Plus you don’t get so many flower stalks growing at once.

Thanks everyone…. I’ll keep you posted 👍🏻