Phally's in trouble - Orchid Board

PhalGuy91 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 04:02 PM

Hi all. So today I decided to repot two phals I have, and the first one had several rotted roots, but it seemed ok after I got rid of those. (It was in sphagnum, and it was really wet

) The second one I want to repot looks like someone took its roots, stuck them into a blender, dried them out, and put them into moss.

I was really angry when I saw the roots were dark gray, dried, crispy, and very springy..(Sort of like a poorly cooked pan fried noodle

) I left it out of its pot to dry, and I took a picture which you can see below. I wanna know if it's possible that ol' Phil here can make it. Should I just give 'em the boot? Anyway, let me know what you think, and thanks for your time. OH! by the way... What do you peeps think of a mix I was thinking of.... 3 parts coconut husk, 1 part aliflor, 1 part small aliflor, 1 part sponge rock? Good?....Bad?.....Ugly?....

Thanks!

InspirChid1712 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 05:11 PM

I think the Phal pictured will be just fine, maybe a little extra humidity, but keeping the roots just slightly moist, and lower than normal lighting conditions. This will help it build a strong new root system, rather than just growing leaves. It will need some babying, and might be slow to recover, but I think it will survive! The mix sounds ok... but what is aliflor??? hmmmm....

quiltergal · #3 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 05:51 PM

It looks like it has a couple of viable roots up near the crown. I'd go ahead and repot, keep it in a warm place with slightly less light than you would normally give it. I'd also hit it with KLN and water to stimulate new root growth. I've not used the particular mix you've described though I don't see why it wouldn't work. You may have to water a little more often than if it were in a traditional bark mix.

PhalGuy91 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 06:25 PM

Well, I took a closer look and saw that the roots are really dead. I don't think they're useful anymore, and if I leave them on, they'll probably cause more problems for the new roots emerging from the top. So, prepare yourself....I cut them off. I think it'll be ok because there is two new roots coming from the top, but the older roots were completely dead. There was ONE that was green, so I left it on. I potted my other phal in the mix, and decided to leave this one in just aliflor. Oh, and Inspir, you should look up aliflor online. It's these pebbles that alot of growers use just by itself. Look it up on google images. So, I cut off the roots and now it has nothing to support it so it's almost resting on top of the aliflor. I hope it'll live, but we'll see...

Lagoon · #5 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 06:42 PM

Ooo bummer!
Expect to see some leaf drop, not enough roots to support them now.
Good luck

PhalGuy91 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 06:58 PM

How many leaves do you think will stay on it? It's lost 2 already...

Buds! · #7 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 08:26 PM

Hi PhalGuy91,
Welcome to the OB!
I agree with everyone's suggestions and recommendations.
I think your phals will be OK. Phals are relatively tough orchids.

If it makes you feel better, have a look at my sick phal story.

Happy phal story for Friday
All the best, keep us posted!
Buds!

Lorraine · #8 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 10:00 PM

Welcome PhalGuy91,

Hope your Phal makes it. I found that with very little root system to hold in the pot to place it with the alliflor close enough to draw the roots down to the moisture. It will take a while. I have mounted a few on a stick with moss wrapped around it to hold in place and misting the moss to keep moist as soon as it is dry.

Good luck. You might wait till you get those roots a little bit longer if you decide to mount. I used fishing line to secure in place with the leaves downward to keep water out of the crown. I'm 3 out of 4 so far. 4 hasn't decided wether to live or die yet.

Lorraine

Lagoon · #9 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 10:13 PM

Can't tell you for sure, but that doesn't meen that you won't have new growth to take its place. You may even see a basal growth.

Keep going, the payoff maybe sweet

Neverend · #10 (**permalink**) 11-16-2007, 09:25 AM

Yikes, I can hardly see a live root!

I would not choose aliflor in this case though, although it's wonderful in providing air spaces, I don't think it can give the plant enough water and humidity to entice it to grow. Perhaps you can add some sphagnum moss to the top layer of aliflor, just so as to ensure that the root region is humid enough.