Rotting Roots on a Phalaenopsis

[alison]

Hi there,

I am hoping to be able to send thanks out into the universe when the reply comes that will save my orchids life...

I have recently purchased a phalaenopsis potted in moss. I repotted it in something that was prettier with the "ok" from someone at a flower show. This prettier medium was balls of some substance that holds water for up to 2 months. I potted it a pot with no drainage (I know you all know where this is going).

Within a week (yes, short period of time which leads me to believe it may have been sick before I got it), I noticed that the leaf closest to the roots was turning yellow. I new it was to wet so I removed it from the pot immediately to inspect the roots. I saw that half of the roots were brown or still green but with black spots and some were even squishy and hollowing.

I googled this problem as orchid root rot and came across instructions to cut off the diseased roots and repot. So I followed the instructions and all looked well. Two buds started to open and even a bud that had started to dry out (or saturate I suppose) began to open as well. Then a couple of days ago we were discussing how the buds had opened to a certain point and then stopped. Then this morning I noticed some "fur" growing like a web from the potting medium (schultz orchid medium) to the root. I pulled the plant out and saw that half of the remaining roots have begun to rot too! So I just cut the rotted ones off before registering here.

The plant still looks great with a huge stem of beautiful flowers (I'll try to post a pic) but I barely have any roots left. I have mixed the Schultz medium with some dried out moss that I kept so as to have some moisture but not too much but I don't know what else to do.

How do I re-establish the roots without rotting the remaining few? HELP!

[Amanda L]

I think you did the right thing re-potting. Did you re-pot in bark? I would suggest cutting the flower stem to let the plant focus on growing roots. That just my opinion, though. Please do post pictures of what you have so we can better determine how to correct the situation. You can try a root growth hormone, like KLN or SuperThrive. Don't give up on your orchid. It has a will to survive. I have learned that Phals are very persistent in wanting to live. I have just about destroyed all the roots on one of mine and it is doing much better, with me leaving it alone and giving it minimal care. It's now growing a leaf and new roots. Good luck and post pictures when you can.

[alison]

Thank you. As soon as I figure out where to edit my profile and add pics I will. And I have made a medium of bark and the moss that it came in since the bark seemed too wet and the moss was too dry. Is this ok do you think?

My beauty has 4 branches on her stem...I have read elsewhere that I probably need to cut it off too but I can't bear it. Do you think it is safe to wait for a bit while I enjoy the blooms or does her life hang in the balance?

[Amanda L]

Here is great link for posting photos here. http://www.orchidboard.com/community...chidboard.html

I would not take the chance of not cutting the stem, but lets see what you have first.

Edit: I have a suggestion. If you decide that cutting the stem is better for your plant, after you have receive the excellent advice from the wonderful people here, you can still enjoy your blooms. Someone told me on here that you can put the cut stem in a vase with some sugar (about 1/4 tsp). You will need to change the water/sugar mix daily. I tried this and my stem lasted for quite some time. So even if you have to cut them off, you will still be able to enjoy your lovely blooms.

[alison]

[IMG][/IMG]

Does this work?

Ok, it does. So until I'm a pro at this you can see all the pics in my gallery I just uploaded. They are of the roots and of the plant as it is right now.

[Amanda L]

I would cut that stem off. There simply aren't any roots to support it. You can try to sphag and bag it. This is when you put the plant in a bag with some sphag moss to promote rooting. I have not used this technique, so I can't really tell you how to do it. The way I deal with Phals with little or no roots, is to pot it, leave it alone. You should not move the plant too much because the roots will not get established. Try to find a rooting hormone. When potting any orchid, I soak the bark for at least 24 hours in water with some SuperThrive. Then I mist everyday with filtered water mixed with SuperThrive, instead of watering fully every week. This helps keep the plant still. Let me say that this method works for me and may not work for you. It is certainly not the only way, I'm sure others will give you some advice as well. What you want to keep in mind is that roots need adequate air flow and good drainage to stay healthy. Whatever you do don't give up. You will be rewarded with a strong, healthy plant for all your efforts.

P.S. Welcome to the OrchidBoard!! You have come to the right place for advice and some enabling. Okay, lots of enabling! Before you know it you will have plenty of healthy plants with beautiful blooms!

[Bloomin_Aussie]

I agree... the flowers would be short lived in any case. I would also try rooting hormones... I use one that contains Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) which seems to work well. You may need to reapply such a compound over a few weeks to stimulate good growth so perhaps just potting in damp sphag may be suitable for the time being. Don't "water" it though... just mist it enough to keep the moss damp.

[grlhiggins]

i havent had a great experience with spag... my two cents.... I would repot woth bark and charcoal mix and leave it alone for a while. you will need to water every other day ... you should see some roots returning in a few months. def do not leave in full sun... maybe some nice morning sun, but prtect it from afternoon sun.
GOOD LUCK!

[hksin]

Your phal looks much better than mine. My phal was rootless and just remained two leaves. It is starting the new roots after 3 weeks sphag'n'bag treatment.

I don't think your phal needs that treatment since it still has few roots. I think you should cut the stem and the dead black tissues, use a soft toothbrush to clean the plant with dish detergent water, rinse it and soak it in diluted Physan 20 (fungicide) solution for 15 to 30 mintures. Rinse it again, pad dry mostly and sparkle cinnamon power on the wounds and the cutting roots. Let it dry overnight.

Next day you can soak the plant in rooting hormone solution (KLN, Superthrive etc..). Rinse it and repot the plant. If you don't have those chemicals (fingicide and rooting hormone), just skip those.

I think plant it in somewhat damp and loose sphagnum is fine, don't pad the sphagnum too tight, let them have more air flow. Sure the plant is stable in the pot, otherwise use stick to support it. Place the plant in somewhere warm and shade until you see the new roots. Occassionally mist the plant can help but ensure no water in crown.

Later you should pay attention to the potting medium. The current medium seems too wet for the plant. If you think the medium is fine then you probably need to move your plant to a place that has better air movement.

This is my two cents.......
Good luck for your phal.

hau

[Sandy4453]

You definitely want to cut off any flower stems and let the plant concentrate on growing strong. I used to stay far away from sphagnum and never understood why it was so popular until I learned how to use it which, wasn't until I almost threw in the towel on a couple of Phals that were failing miserably. When Phals dry out too quickly and remain dry too long, I find will usually suffer the same fate as those that remain too wet without good air exchange in the pot. Phals need moisture to get those potential roots and those already established, to grow and stay healthy. I've slowly transferred all of mine to spagh and have had the best results especially on ones that were suffering. I use a LOT of sponge rock to prevent the spagh from getting soggy/heavy and to keep it open and airy somewhat. I'm finding that they need watering more often than with bark but for me, all the guesswork is taken out of when they need more water. With straight bark, I'm not always sure how wet or dry the center of the pot is...even when using skewers. And bark tends to dry faster farther away from the plant first which is uncomfortable for me because of those roots that have already reached those outer parameters. The trick with spagh is to keep the mix airy and prevent it from getting too heavy/soggy when watering.