Saving a troubled Phal-tips? - Orchid Board

jen.kirsten · #1 11-08-2012, 04:12 PM

Hi guys! My boss got an orchid (Phal) last Christmas (2011) with 4 beautiful flower spikes. I just assumed she threw it out after the blooms fell off because I never saw it in her office after about March of this year. Today I was in there looking for something an noticed the poor plant behind a tall stack of books!!! Dried up crunchy flower spikes and a brown crown with two beautiful green leaves left!!! I took it out of the medium it was in...moldy spag. moss....Grrrrr and of course all the roots were totally black, mush---gone. The leaves look really good considering. So at this point, I removed all the dead roots and applied some Hydrogen peroxide on the crown. The crown immediately started fizzing so I know bacteria is there. I plan on treating it every 3rd day with peroxide until the fizzing stops and go from there. Besides being very careful about watering (I will of course let it dry out first) what other tips can you all give me? This would be my first attempt at trying to save an orchid. I don't have my camera today but can take some pictures tomorrow. It's basically two green leaves and a brown crown with the very tip top of the crown being a light green shade. Thank you!

james mickelso · #2 11-08-2012, 07:58 PM

Good luck. Monopodial orchids that have damaged crowns are difficult to save but I always try. Without roots, the only way to hydtrate the orchid is to mist the undersides of the leaves. Leaves can take in water and to some extent nutrients. But it is slow. Keep it in a humid environment but placing the plant in a small shallow dish (shallow soup bowl) filled with damp moss and place that in a larger shallow bowl with damp moss. Put it in a medium light but not high light and keep relatively warm but not hot. A balance between the two is crucial as the plant can become desicated quickly without roots. Mist it as often as you can on the undersides of the leaves. You do not have to pot it. Phals grow on tree bark with nothing else. Just lay it in the shallow soup bowl with damp moss under it. Just to keep the humidity high. I have saved a few phals and other orchids with this basic method. Some folks here are versed in semi hydro therapy and that might work too. Good luck.

jen.kirsten · #3 11-09-2012, 12:36 AM

Thank you for the advice! Right now I have it in a small bowl sitting on a humidity tray in my bathroom. It will stay warm there and get some light and of course humidity from our showers. I never thought of misting the underside of the leaves...great idea! I took a closer look at it tonight and noticed a new leaf is starting so maybe all is not lost. Thanks again!

jen.kirsten · #4 11-11-2012, 01:19 AM

I have it under bag treatment now to hopefully increase the humidity. The misting of the leaves is really helpful, I notice they are staying hydrated. Fingers crossed!