What are my options for this old one root phal - Orchid Board

stylingpat · #1 09-06-2013, 08:00 PM

I've had this phal in my collection for sometime now and need some advice from those wiser then me in the affairs of orchids.

What options do I have for this phal, its been rotted down to one root about 4 months ago when it was given to us as a gift. So I've been very slowly nursing it back, its grown a small new leaf and this very nice plump new root. I decided to put it into a medium of bark, lil sphag and lavarock feeling that this plant was ready to re-establish itself. Well it didnt take to this medium, it started developing a white fluffy mold along with some black on the one new fat root. So instead of me continuing to mess around, I've decided to call in the troops (orchidboard!)

What are my options? I've got the plant exposed in full air right now.

RandomGemini · #2 09-06-2013, 08:16 PM

Wow. I've seen lots of photos of bad looking phals on here and I haven't seen one quite this bad. I'm still a beginner so I'm not sure I can offer you much advice.

One thing I have noticed is the water on the leaves. You should dry off the leaves after watering. I just do this with a paper towel. If the water is allowed to sit on the leaves, it can cause the leaves to rot. Phals actually grow upside down in nature, so the "tops" of their leaves are almost never directly exposed to water in the wild.

kindrag23 · #3 09-06-2013, 08:33 PM

@RandomGemini good catch. I did not notice, phal's are pretty resourceful, and can bounce back..I would maybe suggest a rooting hormone. Like Seaweed extract to help maybe stimulate the roots.

I use better gro seaweed extract it stinks but it has been suggested to me by others. Main things is don't give up on it yet!

Umm but definitely clean up the base looks like you may have some spider mites or something going on with that webbing. Maybe with some hydrogen peroxide.

Orchid Whisperer · #4 09-06-2013, 09:30 PM

99.9% of the time I find that you don't really need any treatments, chemicals, stimulants, etc.

My suggestion would be to clean it well, then put it in a clean new pot with new, clean coarse medium. Water the medium only often enough to keep it somewhat moist, never soggy, never bone dry. Keep water off of the leaves, and keep it a bit more shaded than normal for a Phal until roots start growing again. You may lose some leaves or have leaves shrivel until the plant grows enough roots to support all the leaves. It should recover with time, though.

Joyorchid · #5 09-06-2013, 09:40 PM

I have had good success with warming mats or seedling mats to promote root growth. I have used this with good results in s/h.

stylingpat · #6 09-06-2013, 10:47 PM

Hmm thanks for the replys but I'm not looking for general good culture advice, I'm looking for any tips or tricks to get this plant re-established in a potted medium. Its going to go back to being mounted to let everything breathe for a few months or so.

I'm going to do that again for a few months untill another root comes along about the same length then I will try and re-pot/re-establish it back into a small pot again and see what happens. This is the 2nd time the plant has refused to re-establish in a pot.. maybe I should just leave it mounted. Or do the re-pot with the root smaller so it can adapt better.

Wild Orchid · #7 09-06-2013, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stylingpat

Hmm thanks for the replys but I'm not looking for general good culture advice, I'm looking for any tips or tricks to get this plant re-established in a potted medium. Its going to go back to being mounted to let everything breathe for a few months or so.

I'm going to do that again for a few months untill another root comes along about the same length then I will try and re-pot/re-establish it back into a small pot again and see what happens. This is the 2nd time the plant has refused to re-establish in a pot.. maybe I should just leave it mounted. Or do the re-pot with the root smaller so it can adapt better.

I tend to agree with what you said. I've had success growing roots after root rot occurance but Phals appear to be rather fragile when the transfer occurs.

The latest, I must say MODEST success I had was when trying the following: I kept a Phal in a similar condition barefeet and spraying the base with seaweed solution once or twice a day.

When it would eventually produce 3-4 roots ammounting to at least 3 inch of length - I'd wrap some moss strands around the roots. This introduces increased amount of moisture while still allowing roots a chance to dry.
Eventually the Phal would be repotted into bark with lots and lots of air pockets and only spray watered for the first 2-3 months.

I must admit, it's a painfully slow and sometimes frustrating experience.

Good luck!

stylingpat · #8 09-06-2013, 11:21 PM

That sounds good, I'm going to give that a shot. Its very close to what I'm already doing, but this time, I'll let some sphag stay wrapped "barefoot" around the roots for a month THEN transfer it over to the pot. Should be a good transition.

I've got about 10-15 different plants so it doesnt matter how long it takes to bounce back!

RosieC · #9 09-07-2013, 04:41 AM

Good culture is the best tip to get it going

But my other tips are... use as tiny a pot as possibly so it dries quickly and water regularly. Use something like seaweed extract. It's not necessary but it can jump start roots.

katrina · #10 09-07-2013, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stylingpat

Hmm thanks for the replys but I'm not looking for general good culture advice, I'm looking for any tips or tricks to get this plant re-established in a potted medium.

Hate to tell you but there really isn't any "tricks" to growing or recouping orchids...phal or otherwise. All you can do is aim for good, basic Phal culture and you might get it to bounce back.

It's definitely going to be a long haul. Good luck w/it!!