yep - bin em!

They look perfectly OK to me and I have had a word with the wife who looks after ours and she agrees!

Quote;

possibly Phalaenopsis?

I think you might be right!

Quote:They were thick with dust and the compost was bone dry so I have cleaned the leaves and watered them.

Cleaning leaves was a good move.

I think you have watered in the wrong way.

They want sitting in about an inch of water for up to an hour then allowed to drain.

This wants doing at least once a week.

Quote;There doesn't seem to be much volume of compost in the pots

They are somewhat epiphytic so the compost is very open textured and the water will indeed run straight through it!

Quote;Both plants appear to have some green roots and a little new growth at the top.

Thats why I say they are OK this is normal!

Quote;The only other thing I have done is to cut off a long dead flower spike which was on the larger plant.

Which is fine

Quote; Any information/advice to help me revive these plants would be very much appreciated.

This data should help;

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Cymbidium&%20Orchids/Cymbidiums%20&%20Orchids.htm

I make my own but it is difficult to describe how I do it, so I would suggest you purchase some Orchid compost.

Similarly you can can get orchid plant food for the stage they are at now, and another when they are in flower.

You can get leaf cleaning fluids as well.

Look into the info I have given then get back to me if you need more info, and I will ask the wife! ;o))

Thanks, George, but I think that is a bit defeatist :)

Have just looked at the website you recommended Teegee, and I will look again this evening to digest all the info. I will try and get to the garden centre this weekend for the necessary compost, etc and, fingers crossed, I will eventually end up with two flowering plants. Please thank your OH for me too.

Hi Gee they look fine, look at Spritzhenrys blog about looking after orchids, I rescued one that a friend was throwing out, I now have 5 all repeat flowering and all thanks to Spritzhenrys advice

Thanks, Pam, just saved Spritzhenry's blog for future reference, she is a mine of useful information on so many plants. I am feeling quite optimistic now :)

Those two new roots look really healthy, you do have to be patient but its so satisfying when they flower
Following advice my friend has two reflowering ones now.....I wouldn't give her the one she through out though :0))

They look fine to me too,Gee..the roots will turn a nice green when they have had enough water,and at least they are in the correct see through pots,to give you an indication..I mist the leaves and ariel roots which grow out of the top,when I water too.Helps to create humidity,especially when the central heating is on..If you have a cooler north facing window,this would be ideal..good luck,I'm sure they will be fine.They are tougher than you think:o)

Thanks, Bloomer. I managed to get to the GC yesterday to buy some orchid compost and feed and I hope to replenish the pots tomorrow. They are sitting in my unheated bathroom at the moment but I will move them onto the kitchen window ledge when I have sorted them out. Feel quite excited about their chances now :)

Sounds as though they are going to be very happy in their new home,Gee..:o))..I've just noticed a new stem today,on the one which starts flowering about this time of year..it wasn't there when we went away last week,and it's about 4" long already ! The other one is just starting to lose it's flowers,so I call that good timing Lol.

Just out of interest, did they flower eventually?

Not yet! But they have grown a very good root system and more leaves. I am ever optimistic :)

Shouldn't this be your comment Gee ? where has Iciar come from again? unless it IS your comment Iciar,if so I apologise.. ..

That is very odd, Bloomer, I certainly wrote the comment but Iciar's avatar is there. Has this happened before to others? I will see if this comment works correctly.

All OK that time :) Very odd!

It has happened to others Gee.but it's a while since it did..I have no idea why it still happens.Your Orchids certainly seem to be doing ok now..:o)

Thanks, Bloomer, at least I know its not something that I did :)

It happened to me a few days ago. There was a period when it happened all the time - very frustrating.