Any hope for my P. Bellina? - Orchid Board

Phallgirl · #1 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 11:50 PM

Help !! I transplanted my P.Bellina from a mount to a bark pot. Now the roots look hard and thin. There are 4 leaves but kind of a dull green except for one leaf that looks normal. Is there anything I can do? Keep it out of grow lights? Don't water it ? Water it? Leave it alone?

caseydoll · #2 (**permalink**) 07-22-2007, 06:55 AM

I am sure more experienced people will give you more advice but with my phals thin hard roots usually means that they need more water. When you repot an orchid in bark mix sometimes at first it has trouble holding water and you need to water a little more for awhile. I just had that problem when I repotted my paphs and onc. When did you move it to a pot? How much have you been watering? Sorry I don't know why your leaf color is dull. Like I said I'm sure someone will give you better advice than I can because I'm a newbie too.

Sarah

nenella · #3 (**permalink**) 07-22-2007, 08:56 AM

Hi I'm not an expert, but I can tell you my "story with a bellina" I just lost my one and only ever posessed bellina! it too was in bark and it had all the symptoms of not being humid enough..leaves dulled, leaves became grooved...then I must have over watered as roots rotted... I tried bag & spag...but ended up getting crown rot ?? as all leaves just fell off in one go.... I ended up throwing it & I now have a new one , this one's in Spagm I've checked the roots & they're in superb condition .. my first one had half the roots this one has when bought and the I believe this time round I need to not keep it toowet seeing it's in a medium that retains alot more moisture ... I use the skewer method ... I hope some experts on bellinas can chip in as I love this orchid and would love to manage to not only keep one alive but see the flowers!

cb977 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-22-2007, 09:46 AM

My Phal bellina was in a pot not doing much for quite a while.,,and I couldn't understand why

I have recently realized that Phal species do their best for me in sphag, which is something I don't use on anything else except my mounts and 2 Bulbos.

I moved the bellina into sphag and in two weeks time, it's in spike!

smartie2000 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-22-2007, 11:51 AM

Sorry, Phal bellina is a tough one. I had one that was shipped in and it died due too the poor packing and length of time in the box. The second time, it also almost died. I still have it alive and it has grown a mutated looking leaf.

Anyway just make sure you keep it moist. Keep the humidty of the air high as well. I put mine in sphag to save it. The first one was in bark and it died.

Phallgirl · #6 (**permalink**) 07-22-2007, 05:24 PM

Thank you all for your input. When I got my Bellina in May it had 3 roots and was on a mount. I noticed that one of the roots was failing so that's why I transplanted it to the bark. I thought it might have rot from the Sphag it was in. Since I like it so much I'm always keeping an eye on it and I don't think it was underwatered, but the description of grooved leaves fits. I'm going to use the s/h and hope it helps. I've heard that the species do better in sphag, and from what you all said you agree. I'm glad I'm not the only one who is attached to their Bellina !!
I'm going to put it in a large plastic see thru container with the top on and some sphag moss around the failing roots and hope it makes a new root in the humidified environment. There is always a chance --------

OrchidTess · #7 (**permalink**) 07-22-2007, 08:20 PM

Since your bellina was mounted it will take some time for it to adjust to a pot. I suggest sphag & bark in a clay pot, because it will need an airy mix for roots that are use to being on a mount. Keep the humidity up as others suggested.

justatypn · #8 (**permalink**) 07-22-2007, 10:20 PM

No different than Sue, mine as well just kind of hung around and chilled. Recently it has come around, no spikes yet. Mine is growing in bark and will have to give it some thought about the sphag. Hate to touch it knowing it's showing signs of growing.

Neverend · #9 (**permalink**) 07-23-2007, 11:49 AM

Bellinas are easy for me, though I seem to kill equestris for some reason. In my opinion whenever you transplant an orchid, try your best to give it the optimal conditions (that is high humidity, appropriate light and good air movement). Take care that the orchid is at most MOIST and NEVER WET. Unhealthy Phalaenopsis orchids succumb to crown rot when they stay wet for a long time no matter how good air movement can be. Whatever medium you use make sure it is airy and not too confining, which really contributes to rot (though my bellina is quite badly packed it's the only one that's blooming really well for some reason.)

It's so far the easiest specie I ever handled (maybe because I live in the tropics), so I guess you just have to adhere to the common rules to epiphytic tropical orchids.

Gin · #10 (**permalink**) 07-23-2007, 01:40 PM

Mine are all in Spag. with small pieces of styrofoam (non melting type ) added to the Spag. in pots , they tend to grow out flat with a lot of roots on the surface . I put a hole in the side of the pot with a S shaped hook they are hanging sideways from a grid on the wall . You can see a couple of them in the picture ..
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...php?photo=6315