NEED EXPERT EYES

[xxkarliexx]

exactly what is spag and bag?

[BruceP]

It refers to the practice of putting a plant in a plastic bag with some moist sphagnum moss in the hopes that the little greenhouse environment will help prevent the plant from dessicating and to encourage new root growth.

In my opinion, it's just a faster way to kill a sick plant as it also encourages mold and fungus growth. You're better off using the sphagnum moss in a pot (as small a pot as possible filled with 1/2 moss and 1/2 drainage material like styrofoam, charcoal, rocks, etc.) and keeping the plant in a shady humid spot to recover.

[xxkarliexx]

know anywhere good to get small enough pots? and should i maybe sphag and bag until i get a pot?

[Wynn Dee13]

Actually I have had great success with the sphag and bag method. I cut holes in the bag though for air flow. If you do it right it does work. I have two thriving orchids to prove it. Here is a link to a thread where I helped another member with the sphag and bag method. I took pics and showed her how I prepare the bag. Feel free to read through it and try it if you want. Second spike on phal blooming, but leaves not looking good I also have put a ziplock bag over the plant when it is potted to keep humidity high around the plant. I talk about that in this thread too.

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by xxkarliexx

know anywhere good to get small enough pots?

There's no need to go out of your way - the bottom section of a soda bottle works exceptionally well so long as you cut drainage holes in the bottom. You can also use plastic cups, yogurt containers, whatever. With good luck, they'll only be in them for a short time until you move them back into a larger pot; with bad luck, they're already in disposable containers

[flexdc]

I have used both the Sphag/Paper towel method and the small pot Sphagnum moss method.

Since Sphagnum moss isn’t always available, I substitute it with paper towels for the bag method. Here is how it is done:
1 – Wet paper towels, a couple of sheets, roll them into balls and squeeze out extra water. Don’t squeeze too hard, the object is to moisten the paper towels but not dripping wet.

2 – Put the root section of the plant in a small zip block bag and dump the paper towels into the bag. The leaves should be out side of the bag. Zip the bag up. Since the leaves are in the way, the bag won’t be completely zipped, leaving some space for airflow, which is exactly what we want.

3 – Place the plant in a shady and humid place. May be your bathroom is a good place. The plant would need some light so not in complete darkness. You may opt to mist spray in the morning to keep the leaves from too much dehydration.

4 – Change the paper towels every week or so just so that mold would not accumulate.

I have saved one phalaenopsis this way and one mini cattleya this way. I the past I used to dump the entire plant inside a big bag and zip it up. That never worked for me. My entire plant would rot in a very short time. Hopefully this will save your plant.

Andrew

[xxkarliexx]

Originally Posted by Wynn Dee13

Actually I have had great success with the sphag and bag method. I cut holes in the bag though for air flow. If you do it right it does work. I have two thriving orchids to prove it. Here is a link to a thread where I helped another member with the sphag and bag method. I took pics and showed her how I prepare the bag. Feel free to read through it and try it if you want. Second spike on phal blooming, but leaves not looking good I also have put a ziplock bag over the plant when it is potted to keep humidity high around the plant. I talk about that in this thread too.

so, i have gallon bags and moist sphag moss, is it ok to put the moss in the bottom, the whole plant on top, zip it up and maybe cut some holes in a few places or would leaving it partially open do just as well?

[flexdc]

The purpose of putting moss in the bag is to provide humidity. So moist moss and not dripping wet. Putting it in the bottom is fine. If too much condensation, you can open the top to let in some air.
Andrew

[Wynn Dee13]

Originally Posted by xxkarliexx

so, i have gallon bags and moist sphag moss, is it ok to put the moss in the bottom, the whole plant on top, zip it up and maybe cut some holes in a few places or would leaving it partially open do just as well?

I put the moss in the bottom of the bag. I cut the corners off for air holes and put some more air holes in the sides. I put the whole plant in the bag because it keeps humidity around the whole plant. I just watch the plant and open the bag some if it is too wet or needs more airflow. If you see mold growing, the environment isn't getting enough airflow. I would cut holes and close the bag as much as you can to keep as much humidity around the plant as you can. I think keeping the leaves out will make the plant lose more moisture through the leaves and they could fall off faster. Just my opinion though.

[xxkarliexx]

i think this pic my show up upside down? dont know why, but apart from that, does this seem ok?