Orchids How To: First plants in my mini orchidarium

Phalaenopsis Violacea,
orchid species,
roots with fungal disease.

Buy on EBAY can be beneficial but it all depends on the seriousness of the seller, even if the percentage of positive feedback is the maximum does not mean that everything will go as you hope ...
I participated in a series of open auctions from a seller who seemed very trusted, I won almost everything that I had fixed and so I paid a single shipment for up to 5 young phalaenopsis species. The ads said "vigorous young plant," there were also photos and plants seemed healthy.

When the courier rang I was not in my skin, I was elated and could not wait to see my new awaited plants to populate the mini orchidarium just set up. It seemed to me on Christmas morning! The first impression I got was that the leaves seemed grown in the dark, were thin and very pale, I was afraid it would break. Then I started looking into the vessels to check the roots. A disaster!

I did not think it was possible, all plants had their roots completely destroyed by a fungal disease or something else, there was almost nothing that could be saved! The only hint of a new root growth was on the Phalaenopsis Equestris Apari, but the two new roots were less than one centimeter long!

Phalaenopsis Equestris Apari, orchid species, seedling, roots killed by a fungal disease.

Phalaenopsis Equestris Apari,
orchid species, seedling,
roots killed by fungal disease (Phytophthora or Pythium).

Phalaenopsis Mariae was the only flowering size plant, it had a small floral stem about 3 cm coming out of the jar and one hidden under the bark, unfortunately, the condition of roots was not good, I tried to put mount it on a cork slab, as this phalaenopsis prefers to grow, with the roots free on the air, and it tends to turn down the leaves and stems.

Phalaenopsis Mariae, orchid species, mounted on cork.

The Phal. Bellina Ponkan had few roots and thin leaves, transparent enough to be able to see, in the light, the whole internal structure.

Phalaenopsis bellina Ponkan, photo from the Ebay sales ad

Phalaenopsis Bellina Ponkan,
orchid species, photo from the Ebay sales ad.

Phalaenopsis Bellina Ponkan,
orchid species, after 4 months of cultivation.

As may be seen on the photos in the last four months, the size of the leaves remained the same and unfortunately the evil fungus continued to hold hostage this plant causing it to lose a few leaves and attacking the roots still alive, however, the plant seems to have responded well even if there are no signs of new leaves or roots, the remaining leaves had significantly changed in consistency and are no longer so clear, especially I do not have the impression that they tear as soon as I touch them, now they are normal leaves of a young phalaenopsis! I don't have a photo of the little phal Hieroglyphica x Mariae just arrived but, like its companions in misfortune, it was pretty sad, almost zero roots and very thin leaves. It had the great courage to grow a new leaf but then some evil entity attacked again. The last plant that was in the package I didn't buy it, the seller has added its own initiative, perhaps to apologize for the general state of the roots, it was a primary hybrid and I went immediately to search the web, Phalaenopsis equestris aurea x Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi flava. Of course the plant was tiny and rootless, but if it ever reach the flowering will be truly a sight not to be missed!
I just hope that treatments I'm giving to all will be effective!