mini phal not recovering from root rot very well

[KHaze]

Hi everyone. I posted a thread a few weeks ago about my two mini phals that had root rot. Thanks for all the advice.

I trimmed off the rotting roots and repotted them in bark chips and have been very careful not to water them too much.

One of them still had quite a few good roots left and that one seems to be recovering just fine...it's even making a new bud!

The other one only had a few roots left. I feel like the bark chips don't secure it in the pot very well and the remaining roots look like they are drying up and dying.

The leaves are also getting droopy and wrinkly. I think it's just not getting enough water from it's remaining roots.

I'm afraid it's not going to make it.

Any suggestions?

[PitcherASAMD]

You could try semi-hydroponics. It's worth a try anyway.

Katie

[SFC]

I have a rescue Phal that had just one healthy root left due to root rot and it is recovering in water culture, basically just a glass of water with a tiny bit of root boost in it. It seems to be working so far, the single root is now growing and the leaves have firmed up again. I would suggest changing the water every few days, as it gets a little mucky, especially in the beginning, and keep it in a shadier spot.

[KHaze]

Won't keeping it in a glass of water make it rot more? How much root boost?

[SFC]

I thought that it might cause further root rot as well, but it was a last ditch effort and it seems to be working, you have to change the water about ever other day for the first little while to keep mold and bacteria at bay, and make sure all the bad dead stuff is cut away and the roots well rinsed before you put it in the water. I use just a single drop of my liquid root boost in a large watering can, a little goes a long way, and I fill the glass with that.
Hope this helps, I wouldn't call this a proven remedy, but it seems to be working for me!
Sarah

[Zoi2]

If you're going to try water culture with a phal, keep the water BELOW the leaf junction. You don't want water in the crown.
Good Luck
Joann

[KHaze]

Thanks guys!