Here's my original post on Feddit.org, a german instance: https://photon.slrpnk.net/post/17757233
I still made quite some effort to translate it manually for you.
I bought two phalaenopsis orchids about two months ago.
A pink, and a gold one.
First the pink one. I got it from a discounter, and... well it already looked like shit when I bought it. The roots were pretty much all dead.
![](https://slrpnk.net/pictrs/image/0a2e9132-c86d-4b0f-8bd3-20be5b46721b.jpeg)
Now, it recovered, and even put out its' first flower spike!
![](https://slrpnk.net/pictrs/image/765c82de-4583-4659-ac22-fb1d8f6c370e.jpeg)
![](https://slrpnk.net/pictrs/image/c405fb3d-8343-4bdf-8283-6b94e4309985.jpeg)
![](https://slrpnk.net/pictrs/image/ae5767cf-6f97-4f0e-ab9c-fc4afd3aaa54.jpeg)
It still looks a bit dehydrated/ leathery, but otherwise it's in a stable condition and recovers very well.
The other one is from a proper garden center, AND IT LOOKED EVEN WORSE!
Not only were the roots completely mush, but it also had a new buddy in its sleeve, I call him "worm buddy", my new pet.
![](https://slrpnk.net/pictrs/image/1276f0eb-1e5e-4031-ad12-057c14e2b6ae.jpeg)
![](https://slrpnk.net/pictrs/image/a87c4f89-f23c-4edb-8088-36be4f3bb227.jpeg)
Now, it looks like this:
![](https://slrpnk.net/pictrs/image/5a4ed3bb-8533-4c36-9b33-1af0a5db467f.jpeg)
![](https://slrpnk.net/pictrs/image/dc85359c-962c-4086-bd5e-9f0732eeb1c7.jpeg)
It grew new flower pods and already started to bloom! How awesome is that?
![](https://slrpnk.net/pictrs/image/3ea006e0-64c4-488c-9e37-29a5523c902c.jpeg)
On top of that, I showed the pictures a worker in the shop I bought it, and they were so embarrassed, that they gave me a voucher for a new plant, because they called it "inrecoverable".
So I got this Oncidium orchid additionally for free:
![](https://slrpnk.net/pictrs/image/eafd015f-2070-4e62-9bd2-5693a8f1c892.jpeg)
This post is just a small reminder that plants can be very tolerant to anything, and with some luck and experience, you can save them.
Great job. I could even maintain alive my own orchid.
I guess my journey in the zero waste (and gardening) path still as a long way to go.
Hey :) I'm very sorry that you now feel bad because of my post. I just wanted to inspire some people out there, because a lot of plants/ orchids get thrown out, even in way better conditions.
I even noticed a few people throwing orchids into the trash after they finished blooming! :o
Really, please don't feel bad. My journey to zero waste is also very long, even after a few years. Every little bit counts!
I still produce A LOT of waste, I just wanted to inspire others a bit with my submission.
Cheers!
Don't worry. I don't. I don't have a green hand and I learn my lesson. I now have low maintenance plants and buy no more orchid.