Phalaenopsis with root and black rot - Orchid Board

Deane · #1 01-10-2009, 05:12 PM

Hi. I am a new member who is in need of advice regarding my Phalaenopsis. Purchased in April 2008 as a mature plant it flowered until October. At that time I noticed the last bud appeared to dry out and drop off, then the stalk showed dark spots. I cut the stalk off and waited. A new sprout appeared so I thought all was well.

We have had excessive condensation issues in our home and have had to run a dehumidifyer. I should mention that we live in a rainforest on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Although the orchid leaves appear healthy they started to droop. I tipped the plant out and found the roots were rotted. They had been tightly wrapped in moss. Only thin white thread like roots remain with one healthy, plump soft green root left. I trimmed all the threads, leaving the healthy root as is.

This is when I noticed the black spot at the base of the plant. Searching the web for advice I cut out the black spot after having to remove the bottom leaf, then sprinkled the roots and cut with cinnamon and allowed the plant to dry.

I washed the pot thoroughly, soaked new orchid fir bark/charcoal mix for 24 hours, drained, repotted and gave it a drink containing orchid fertilizer. Now, with fingers crossed, I am wondering if I have done the right things to save this beautiful orchid. Any suggestions?

tuvoc · #2 01-11-2009, 11:28 AM

Sounds like you did all the right stuff. Keep it out of direct light in a warm spot, and don't keep it too wet, but don't let it dry out. Most important, be patient. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Kim

Deane · #3 01-12-2009, 12:14 AM

Thanks Kim for your encouragment. This is my only orchid - at the moment. Had 49 plants but the cat ripped them apart in a fit of temper on weekend, so really want to save this beauty.

tuvoc · #4 01-12-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deane

Had 49 plants but the cat ripped them apart in a fit of temper on weekend, so really want to save this beauty.

Yikes, and I thought I had cat problems. I'm glad I could help a little bit. Like I mentioned, be patient, and Watch That Cat!

Kim

Gwenchanter · #5 01-12-2009, 11:07 AM

Iv'e had phals recover after all roots completely rotted off. I put my rootless plants in an orchid "ICU" unit which consists of a very small plastic pot tented with a plastic baggie. I get brand new spag and soak it until its soft then wring out the spag so it's just damp and wrap the whole base of the plant in spag after it has been trimmed and treated with fungicide, then I lay it in the small plastic pot and tent it the whole thing with the plastic bag.

I live in Miami so we certainly have humidity issues here too, but phals love humiditiy. It's not the humidity that actually causes the rot, but actually lack of air and clean medium. I unwrap the suffering phal as often as possible check on it's progress and give the roots air, and I often re-wrap it with fresh new (aseptic) spagnum. I think this makes a difference. I know it seems odd to use spag when you have had roots rot off but it really seems to work for the plants that have lost all roots. I grow all of my normal healthy plants in a bark mixture because spag tends to break down too fast if you don't change it all the time, especially in humid climates. Also, if you keep it in a very shady place it will concentrate on making roots instead of leaves, which is what you want at this point. Best of luck, just wanted you to know that there is hope, especially if you still have one root.

priz_m · #6 01-12-2009, 03:15 PM

Deane looks like you followed the text book contingency plan for phal's root rot, so hopefully you'll get the text book out come and it will recover.

I personally have had to deal with root rot first hand and lost some, and won some, so all I can say is

keep us posted!

Deane · #7 01-12-2009, 04:24 PM

Thanks for all the support. So glad I found this site. I have, however, bad news. I checked the sicky today to find white fuzzy mold at the plant base. Removed it again from it's pot only to find the root stalk and remaining root covered in mold and rot. I cut off the entire stalk! covered the incision with cinnamon and will air the plant. I will try the 'spag and bag' method in a day or two once the incision has closed. I'm off to the local supplier to purchase another, maybe two, orchid so the withdrawl is not as bad. Enjoy your day and I'll let you know what I adopted.

Deane · #8 01-12-2009, 05:22 PM

P.S. I don't have the cat anymore!

priz_m · #9 01-13-2009, 12:44 PM

Deane I am sorry to hear about the phal, hopefully it will bounce back after s&b treatment

I have lost a couple rescues and 1 highly important to me, but I guess you live and learn :P

Keep us posted nonetheless

Deane · #10 01-15-2009, 01:23 PM

Thanks to everyone who helped me out with info re: Phal with Black and Root Rot.

The Phal seems to be holding it's own in the ICU chamber. Will keep you posted on it's progress.

Went into town and picked up a very nice Oncidium - Sharry Baby, Sweet Fragrance. It has a flower stock that is about 1.5 feet tal so far, so will send pics when it flowers. Repotted it the day after bringing it home as it is from the same distributor as the Phal, and yes it's roots were tightly wrapped in moss. Changed it over to the fir bark/charcoal mix and placed it in a bright sunny location.

Also located an orchid club that meets once each month so will go join them on Jan 24th. Will let you know what new plants come home with us after the first meeting. This orchid hobby is very infectious!

Just can't seem to stop looking at them. Cheers