Is this root rot in my Phal?

[Tukatuka]

Ok, so the main point is it needs some potassium phosphate fungicide and it needs to be mounted on a tree with good drainage. Correct?

Philip, I have read the whole link many times but still confused about what to do with this one cos of the different climate here and lack of brands mentioned.

Everyone's support here have been invaluable. Thank you

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Ok…

1. You live in Indonesia. There are wild Phalaenopsis growing in whatever remaining swamp forests there are left in Indonesia.

2. The way many of them grow is on trees with hardly any moss on them with their roots often times exposed to air and whatever little bits of filtered sunlight they can get. The trees are normally moistened because of the water coming from the rain, and they stay moistened, because of the swamp water and the high humidity.


Q: Why am I telling you this?

A: The above are some of the basic fundamentals of understanding Phalaenopsis. Without this understanding, you will not understand the cultivational techniques that are trying to mimic the environment this orchid needs to survive.

In other words, you must understand where and how the orchid grows before you can figure out which techniques to use to copy the environment the orchid naturally grows in the best.



What do you and I both know about Indo…

1. It is very humid. In some places, it is so humid that after taking a shower, you felt like you never took one.

2. In the forests, it is intermediate to warm in temperature. The temperatures do not typically drop below 55 F - 60 F year round, unless you live high up in the mountains. And it typically will not go over 95 F because of the trees.

3. When it rains, it pours. I don't need to explain this.

Now, you need to understand the properties of the materials you are using to grow the plant.

1. Moss retains moisture extremely well. It can keep moisture for days.

2. It can be very low in pH. It can get as low a pH of 2.

3. It can compact over time, thus decreasing air availability to the roots.


Q: What's my point?

A: Aussie Vanda was correct. You never needed to grow this orchid in moss to begin with. Indo is home to Phalaenopsis. You can grow it potted in bark. Bark dries out faster. And the large grade bark also allows air to get into the root area, to provide oxygen to the roots and to keep them from staying wet for too long. Or you can try mounting the orchid onto a tree or a piece of wood.

How do you mount onto a tree or piece of wood?

Put the orchid onto the tree trunk or a piece of wood and fasten to plant to the tree with string.

I don't know what growing Phalaenopsis on a tree or a piece of wood in your area would be like, because even though you're in Indonesia, you're not living in a swamp forest. So I'm guessing that if you mounted the orchid onto a tree or a piece of wood, you may need to put some coconut fiber to keep some of the moisture the plant gets. If you do put some coconut fiber, put it underneath the roots, not on top of it.

Only reserve fungicides and pesticides for when you need it.

My opinion is that you currently do not need to apply fungicides.

If you'd like to learn how to use it for the future, should that emergency arise, go ahead and take your time to learn about it. It is not that pressing of a situation right now.

Your Phalaenopsis has plenty of good roots to grow back strong.


*** I used and highlighted the word "moistened" for a reason. Notice I didn't use the word "wet". ***

[silken]

Since you live in such a warm humid climate, I would pot this in something other than just moss. Something more open like bark chunks or maybe leave a bit of moss mixed in with the bark. Most clay pots don't have much for drainage/air holes. So unless yours does, I would maybe consider a very open plastic pot. Clear is preferable as Phal roots do seem to photosynthesize. Constant re-potting and disturbing the roots will set this back also. Once it is treated, re-pot it so that it sits securely in the media. Leave it to dry out well before watering again. At this point I would use some seaweed when you do water until some new roots have started growing. A clear pot will allow you to see what is happening without disturbing the plant. Your climate is so humid that you need to pot these a little differently than someone in a very dry climate. In nature they grow up on a tree branch. The roots need air and to dry fairly quickly once they are watered, so keep that in mind when potting it.

Edit: Looks like I missed a whole page of comments!

[RandomGemini]

I think you should mount it on a tree as King suggested. If I had enough humidity to grow plants mounted, I would do it. They look beautiful in their natural orientation and they seem to grow best this way.

[Tukatuka]

Wow, thank you all for your wonderful advise! Ok, I will try to mount it under a tree in my front yard and pray it won't give up under the pouring rain. I have a few question while we are at this topic though. Please have enough patience

1. Mounting - is it safer to mount it on a mobile slab of thin branches? Do I hang it with the leaves facing up or down?

2. We do not have bark like what I saw on google images. What we have is more like twigs.is this an acceptable substitute for bark? I have attached a photo of a mini Phal from a nursery in charcoal and 'twigs' that seems to have very healthy roots....but not too sure about those leaves



3. The pots here are mostly like the photo included. Very difficult to purchase new transparent pots. Can I use a plastic water bottle fro, supermarket water bottle and dig many holes?



4. i have another phal that has much happier roots. Currently in loose moss, charcoal and styrofoam in clear plastic pot with many self-cut holes. Currently about to finish blooming, should I repot in the 'twigs' / charcoal mix without any moss?

5. When in twigs and charcoals or mounted, how often am I to water these phals? Daily?


Thank you very much for all your advice!! Much appreciated.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[RandomGemini]

I can answer the question about watering, the rest I will leave to someone with more experience than me.

Once a week, maybe even longer than that. Phals like to dry out between waterings so you should leave them without water, until the center of the potting medium is dry, then water it.

I water mine every 7 to 10 days.

[silken]

That pot has lots of good holes and would be fine. You could pot it in there but I myself would go with bark and charcoal. The twigs will likely break down faster and are not sterile like orchid bark would be.

You should let the Phals get dry or close to it before watering again as RandomGemini mentioned. Even if that takes two weeks in your humid climate.

[Tukatuka]

Is that mini Phal's roots dry enough to water? Right, will try to find orchid bark. But not too optimistic as I have never seen it around.

[silken]

Originally Posted by Tukatuka

Is that mini Phal's roots dry enough to water? Right, will try to find orchid bark. But not too optimistic as I have never seen it around.

Put a kebab skewer in the pot of the mini phal and leave it for a while, then pull it out. If the tip is dry, then the pot is dry. If it is damp, then don't water yet. Usually when Phal roots are green, they are wet and when they are silver colour they are dry. But they can get slightly discoloured also so I can't tell by a picture if it is dry or not.

[Tukatuka]

Is 10 seconds enough? Thanks