Saving Mom's Corallorhiza Orchid: Quick Tips for a Plant in Distress

[Sanchez]

hello guys, how are you

I need your help I usually do not like planting much but my moms like and she grows plants a lot like a baby. she recently grew one plant named (Corallorhiza orchids) but now it’s in very bad condition I only water it once an in day the morning. please suggest to me some tips on how can I fix this as fast as possible. If my mom sees this she will be so upset. easy tips that I can easily follow

Even though I don’t know about fertilizers also

[TheMadFlascher]

@Sanchez

Corallorhiza orchids 1. * Genus and Family:
* Corallorhiza belongs to the orchid family (Orchidaceae).
* The name Corallorhiza comes from the Greek words korallion (meaning “coral”) and rhiza (meaning “root”). This name refers to the coral-like appearance of their underground branched rhizomes1.

• Habitat and Distribution:
  • These hardy terrestrial plants thrive in a variety of forest types, including deciduous, coniferous, or mixed forests.
  • The center of diversity and distribution for Corallorhiza orchids is in Mexico.
  • Interestingly, Corallorhiza trifida is the sole species occurring in Europe and Asia, with a circum-temperate / boreal distribution.
  • Seven species occur in the United States, and all seven are found on National Forest System lands.
  • The recently discovered Corallorhiza bentleyi grows on the West Virginia and Virginia border, within the George Washington and Monongahela National Forests1.
• Ectomycorrhizal Relationships:
  • Coralroots form intimate relationships with ectomycorrhizal fungi in the soil.
  • These fungi play a crucial role in nutrient exchange and support the orchids’ growth.
  • One species, the Spotted coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata), is associated with multiple distinct genotypes, each linked to a different fungus1.
• Flowering and Reproduction:
  • Coralroot orchids bloom ephemerally, appearing in spring, summer, or fall.
  • They may occur as single specimens or small colonies.
  • The reproductive biology of most coralroot orchids remains poorly known.
  • They are thought to be pollinated by mosquitoes, wasps, and gnats.
  • These orchids produce millions of powdery seeds that require the appropriate soil-fungus matrix for successful germination.
  • After flowering, established coralroot orchids often “disappear” for a year, remaining underground.
  • However, other individuals or colonies emerge annually in the same vicinity and habitat1.
• Conservation and Protection:
  • As with all orchids, illegal collection, transplantation attempts, and habitat loss have reduced their numbers.
  • Coralroot orchids have specific requirements that make them difficult to cultivate, so they do not survive transplantation from the wild.
  • Therefore, it is illegal to dig or pick orchids on National Forest System lands.

@Sanchez, here is the info I could find. I am Certainly NOT an expert on orchids, but one thing that struck me in reviewing this information was the close relationship with Ectomycorrhizal fungi. Cannabis innoculants are readily available. You might want to search ‘Inoculants that contain Ectomycorrhizal fungi’

Also I would back WAY OFF on the daily watering. It’s never a good idea to water an ailing plant as excess water limits oxygen availability to the roots!

Sorry, that’s all I’ve got !
Bob

[MrMonkey420]

I can chip in a little bit about the watering… orchid roots will rot in standing water. You should fill the pots (I asume the roots are in bark or wood chip or so) with water, let them sit for about 15 mins, then drain all the water and this about once a week.
I usually put mine in the sink, let em sit there for a bit and take em back out, drained.

[MrMonkey420]

@Sanchez

I only water it once an in day the morning.

Owww that’s baaaad! Stop watering! If the roots are submerged, drain!!!

[dequilo]

Most species are putatively parasitic, relying entirely upon mycorrhizal fungi within their coral-shaped rhizomes for sustenance. Because of this dependence on myco-heterotrophy, they have never been successfully cultivated. Most species are leafless and rootless. Most species produce little or no chlorophyll, and do not utilize photosynthesis. An exception is the yellowish green species Corallorhiza trifida, which has some chlorophyll and is able to fix CO2. However, this species also depends primarily on fungal associations for carbon acquisitio

more of a cattleya grower

[Slym3r]

Yep yep yep. This right here.

[Sanchez]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Actually, I stopped watering it, and surprisingly, it worked, but not entirely because the conditions were quite severe. My mom came after a few days, and she was upset to see the deteriorating condition of the plant. As I expected, she got very upset. To apologize, I bought some plants for her: Sweetheart Plant, Rhipsalis, and Spider Plant. I’m not sure if that was a good or a silly idea, but I just wanted to do something nice for her. To make it even more special, I ordered some fertilizer, mycorrhizae fungi (Rootmax). I usually see her using it. Did I make the right move?

[MrMonkey420]

@Sanchez

I’m not sure if that was a good or a silly idea, but I just wanted to do something nice for her. To make it even more special, I ordered some fertilizer, mycorrhizae fungi (Rootmax). I usually see her using it. Did I make the right move?

Yeah man. Of course. Perfect move. It’s being kind. Don’t be so unsure about that. If it’s kind, just do it.