Expert: Wayne King - 10/1/2009

Question
My orchid has got floppy leaves but still green where as the stem and roots are dry and died is there some way of saving the top half. Could new roots grow if I treated the top part by cutting the dead part of the stem off and replanting it... new roots could grow..what do you think?

Answer
Miranda, I will assume that you are talking about a phalaenopsis orchid.  Also, I assume that the "Stem" is actually the old flower spike.  There are several parts to your question so I will try to address each part.  On many phals the old flower spike naturally turns brown and dies back so I wouldn't be concerned about that. It can be removed without damage to the plant.  Unlike many houseplants, a phal flower spike cannot be vegetatively propagated in the manner you suggested. Were the flower spike to remain green (a characteristic of some types of phalaenopsis) a new growth might occur at a node (ie joint) in the old flower spike.

The floppy leaves are likely the result of root rot.  Locate a source of orchid potting mix containing fir bark, charcoal, perlite, etc and soak a portion of it for a couple of hours. Unpot your orchid and examine the roots.   Remove any that are mushy as these are dead and likely resulted in your floppy leaves.  Healthy roots are firm and turn green when wet.  Using a well drained plastic pot, place the good roots of your plant into the pot and add the wet, fresh potting mix.  Let it drain before putting it in the growing area.  It is recommended that this repotting be done after each flowering.  Your success with this plant will be somewhat dependent upon the presence of healthy roots.  With a fresh orchid potting mix, new roots should be generated and, once you have new roots, new leaves should soon follow.  If you lose some of the floppy leaves, don't be concerned as new root growth will eventually produce replacement leaves.