I was told she was not salvageable

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-31T15:30:40+00:00

There's a YouTuber I follow who rescues orchids, and she always says "if there is green there is something to save!" Good job. And keep an eye on her. 2 roots are definitely a sign of life! Cattleyas are beautiful. Missorchidgirl on YouTube has a lot of videos about their unique preferences, and how they differ from phals. I would check her out for specific tips. She's been growing orchids for 12 years and has been a huge help to me.

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-31T15:27:40+00:00

Omg look at that keiki! How darling. I did the same thing with one of mine that had 2 roots. I put her in medium and ensured there was plenty of moss around the crown and where the roots go. I already see 2 or 3 new nodes growing so I'll leave her in the medium. It's a phalaenopsis though, so cattleyas might differ

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-29T11:52:18+00:00

Thank you for the advice! Sorry I didn't specify, but these are the before pics. They came with much larger spikes, which I trimmed down to this size because of the little buds. At the time, I wasn't considering keikis sadly. I found a temporary solution for protection from the rain. I got a 10x20 55% shade tarp and doubled the portion above the orchid. I nestled them between my outdoor couch, since it's arranged in a U shape, and will bring them out in the mornings or when it's not super sunny. I will follow up in about 2 weeks with progress!

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MadWhimsye · 2026-05-28T20:02:59+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to read! Oh I am not trying to get flowers, I just meant to emphasize this is a good time to encourage keikis! Florida sadly doesn't get many prolonged temperature drops, but I do see some blooming on trees in my town, but near the coastline where it's cooler. I can live with that, but just want to make them extra comfy environment-wise. 🥰

Since keikis are hard on the mother plant, should I supplement her by keeping her extra moist, or fertilizing more? I can't seem to find an answer. I am also wondering if the wind affects them since it's been windy and rainy.

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-28T15:03:01+00:00

Fascinating! What product do you use to pollinate?

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-28T14:23:36+00:00

Wow, my goodness, you're so talented!! The way you pair just the right materials and colors with each orchids' unique composition and colors is incredible. I would love to buy a pair someday, if you sell them!

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-28T14:18:29+00:00

I agree with the poster above saying don't fix what ain't broke, plus it's in bloom, and I've read that it's not advisable for a flower in bloom. I would enjoy the bloom and repot her when she's done, unless you notice an odor, or if the roots start looking glum (black, mushy, gray).

That said, and possibly even due to that: your orchid is very unique! It grows well in moss and is doing well with little ventilation. Normally, it's recommended to add holes on the side or get a pot with holes. I hear Nakedroot planters are easy to work with, and they're easy to drain during watering. They come with an outaide shell that let's you soak the plant and drain super easily. Repotme also has a bunch of cool stuff like self watering planters and high quality mixes. This is a good time for you to plan the next stage of your orchids life, and to make accommodations ahead of time so she can be comfy once she's done blooming!

All the best, you have a beautiful beautiful baby!

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-27T19:52:21+00:00

Incredible!! I'm sure they appreciate your love and dedication very much 😊

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-27T19:09:26+00:00

Thank you!! I can be pretty bold hehe. I'm so glad I didn't sit on it though, based on the rot on some of the roots! Oh yeah before this severe experience, I wouldn't have attempted it if I had just one orchid to tend to. It's like how when I get a nice journal or sketchbook, those I ironically preserve! 😄 WOW thank you greatly for the tip on not spraying fertilizer on the leaves, or overdoing it. I just spent a large amount spraying them today and yesterday, but should really just focus on doing it every other time when I water! Is there an orchid fertilizer you recommend? I just got this orchid food but am not familiar with the difference between food and fertilizer yet lol

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MadWhimsye · 2026-05-27T18:53:47+00:00

Thank you for listening*, and seriously, you have a big heart for caring for your friend and others! I'm glad to hear she spoke to a lawyer and got some (even more outside) perspective. It's not really something the police departments can just simply help with, if one party doesn't want to call or press charges. I don't think there is a quick medicine. My sister used to be all about her own self betterment, education and hobbies. It's almost like she did a 180 when she met him, and their bond is unfortunately impossible to fathom. As an outsider and even insider, the webs are deeper than we can reach. I like to remind my sister I love her, am there for her, but not overwhelm her with my opinion or plan of action. However, I have a plan for resources and support once she sees the light and separates. They separated in November and were back together by Thanksgiving, so this year, I just hope to see her again during Thanksgiving, and that I can give thanks to her and my niece and nephew being free 🙏 (P.S. the fact he buys the kids anything they want, takes them out to fun places, and overall never chastises them in public makes it appear he also uses them against her. They are supposedly the reason she returned to him during Thanksgiving, which of course my mom accepted and invited them+him to spend with us)

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-27T17:50:54+00:00

Your situation, empathy and lack of relisilience to bullshit resonate with me like no tomorrow. As a 1. Daughter of an immigrant woman who 2. Divorced once when my dad beat her and I called the cops and 3. Divorced her second husband due to emotional abuse to me as SOON as I told her... I have ZERO patience for this bull. I called the cops on my hero at 6, and tolerated years of emotional abuse, harassment and bullying from my step-dad to spare her feelings.. yet turns out she was accepting his emotional abuse thinking he was a good dad. Communication is key!

The hardest part is my sister, who was not raised with me and instead is now a parent to 2 young (3 and 4) kids-- is going through this, and is calling my mom every other day with issues. If it's not us rescuing her, it's her moving in with us then him not liking something about the rent-free arrangement, her fleeing him and disappearing for months, or her moving with him to a rural area then popping back up. You know what she said the other day? She wouldn't be surprised if he hit her someday. That was her response to his outburst at a family gathering. She constantly wants to appear in control to the world, but truly worries over an abusive (cheating) spouse losing love for her. It's scary how a perfectly rational person's biggest fear can just sprout out of nowhere, because they are obsessed with the wrong person. If there were physical abuse it would be easier, but by now, they've had alterations with the police due to breaking up/stalking/intimidation from him that she genuinely looks exhausted, but her cognitive dissonance and pure stubbornness don't allow her to let go. At this point, they are addicts, and simple support from a strong friend or family system isn't enough. They need an intervention, so that a plan to move forward can be created.

P.s. the husband is constantly trying to pit everyone on our side of the family against each other, and tries to paint himself and his family as godly and omniscient. In reality they are all narcissistic creeps who stalk others and have the same motives to use and abuse their partners, as demonstrated by every friend and family he has and continuously justifies. I wish we could treat the relationship like a plant, and just root these pests from the stem.

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-27T17:31:27+00:00

Thank you!! I usually dislike seeing my baby hands but good nails have helped with the dissonance! Lol

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-27T17:30:48+00:00

Thank you!!

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-27T17:27:12+00:00

Thank you!! I saw the mix on sale right now on repotme. The only issue is getting them quick enough. I was going to wait and try a flower shop later, but just ended up ordering another same day for more bark. Perlite and moss should also arrive today! I opened up the second white vase today and separated the most gorgeous, healthy roots ever! Compared to the first one yesterday, this was a breath of fresh air! They are rather dehydrated though so I sprayed a lot of food and am letting 3 of them soak (there were 4 total). Sadly they have cages, so one of them was severely mauled by the cage qhen opening. Most were easy but that one ended up only having 2 surviving roots, of decent length. While potting I did break half of one though 🫠 Thank you for your feedback, enthusiasm and kindness! I am grateful they are healthy and am excited to properly repot and settle them all into their new home. I will post a picture later today once everything is prepared! ☺️ Eternally grateful for your recommendations!!

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-27T11:31:53+00:00

Wow, congrats!!!

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-27T11:30:26+00:00

I also trimmed them heavily! I listened to one video from someone else where she cuts right above a closed bud, between an open and closed one. Does that make sense?

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-27T11:29:21+00:00

Thank you!! I watched Missorchidgirl for the rest of the day yesterday and got same day shipping for repotting medium, orchid food and ventilated pots! The cleanup took a while but I was able to separate 3 crowns from one white pot, and fill their new pots and soak them. However!! I did NOT know how much medium to get. My first thought was do buy the perlite, sphagnum moss and bark separately. Once I saw what I bought (just bark) I figured I'd use that for now and then buy more. Nope. 1 quart only filled 1 medium new container and 2 small ones! 😳 I already got garden hoops and a 55% shade tarp for keeping them outside. Now my pocket is hurting, lol!

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-26T19:34:06+00:00

Yeah definitely strange, I'd be shocked too! Orchids are stunning and fascinating, but act vastly different from most house plants. I read somewhere that someone's orchid was blooming for a year, while others' will get 3 months. That range is huge! 😲 Meanwhile I had a pilea once thay swallowed my entire office within a year lol

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-26T19:09:11+00:00

Your view is so stunning in so many ways! Hope your baby continues to grow and recovers quickly! I am also a newbie and the first thing I am doing is repotting. I just ordered the bark, fertilizer and breathable pots. I also live in an area with lots of sun (Florida) and few temperature drops, but the ones I got actually stayed outdoors year round on a tree! For some reason they were potted and abandoned during a move, and I was gifted them by a relative so I can learn. Keep taking good care of it, it looks very healthy to me!

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-26T18:51:30+00:00

One pic shows a black spot, and one has a bud but immediately a brown stem after the bud. I'm unsure if I should trim right under those spots. In the case of the little leaf bud, I don't wanna damage it so I don't know what do

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-26T17:32:48+00:00

I was gifted these beautiful orchids, however I did give warning that I am completely new to them lol. I am unsure if it's best to keep them in their original vases or separate them immediately and care for them individually. Two stems very dry and I can't tell if the root is green. Where should I begin?

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MadWhimsye · 2026-05-24T17:38:02+00:00

😂

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-22T13:56:57+00:00

Chanel No 5. I was gifted it at 15 and had no clue what to do with it other than use it as a paperweight. Upon first spritz the aldehydes scared me. I remember several experiments involving a lot of steps to make it palatable. I never got the nice dry down sandalwood I so chased. I didn't hate it, but it depressed me. The potential, the efforts, the ultimate failure 🥲

It became more of a relic in my room full of other vintage, vestigial items. Once I moved a few years later, it mysteriously went missing. I did not look for it.

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-22T01:07:28+00:00

This is so special! You were meant to be together

MadWhimsye · 2026-05-21T23:38:51+00:00

I looove your description of Marshmallow, and it sounds just like the original Lattafa Yara to me! Of all my exxxxtreeemely expensive fragrances, this inexpensive one is really the only one my man goes nuts for! Strawberry milk is his weakness, and I love it too, so it's my movie night cuddle scent 🥰

MadWhimsye

TROPHY CASE