OMG! I think I've commited Phal murder!

[Phal Gal]

I just repotted my 1st Phal and the roots were all dried up like tissue paper, even though I had the new growths on the spike and at the base that I wrote about previously! I saw just a hint of green on one root! Have I killed my once beautiful Phal? Also, as I was repotting,I broke one side of the new growth at the base! What do I need to do to prevent fungus or worse...death?

[CharliesAngel51]

You can sprinkle some cinnamon on the spot where you broke off a piece of the plant. This will act as a fungicide..

[englandfx]

um, now in nature if an animal was to accidentally damage a phal leaf or tear off a phal leaf the phals wouldn't have cinnamon being sprinkled on them I bet..... >.>

[Orchidementia]

In nature, that hybrid wouldn't exist nor would it live in a pot, would it.

[mehitabel]

If the roots seem dried up, try soaking them for an hour or so in tepid water. Bob Gordon survey of growers suggests adding sugar at the rate of of 2 Tbsp/quart to the soak water. If you have sSuperthrive, add a drop of that.

This gives the roots a chance to brighten up, and you may have more live roots than you think you do. It will need some TLC in a small pot filled with seedling mix (or use sphag). If you have rooting hormone, by all means use it. A thin layer of sphag over the top of the mix will help the medium stay more evenly moist.

To help the leaves survive a period where the roots are challenged, put it in a humidity box or put plastic baggies over the leaves for about 6 weeks.

If the new growth at the base still has its crown, don't write it off.

[englandfx]

Originally Posted by Orchidementia

In nature, that hybrid wouldn't exist nor would it live in a pot, would it.

um what does that have anything to do with cinnamon?

My point is that orchids do not need cinnamon, bcuz in nature they will not have cinnamon to get sprinkled on whenever a leaf snaps off or gets damaged by an animal.

[janet_a]

yes, but out in the wild they're subject to much more air movement and light and drying; when we keep them in our houses (or even greenhouses) they're more likely to stay damper longer, thus becoming more subject to various diseases. so we have to take more preventive measures than if they were out there hanging off a tree trunk.

also, a lot of them die out in the wild; we're trying to protect our investments.

[englandfx]

ahh I see your point janet =)

Luckily I have my phals outside on the veranda where air movement is always happening

Also, last night, I noted that the area where my phals are happens to be the same area where the moon light will be cast on them O_O


Yes it makes sense that a lot of phals in the wild do die.

[trinigirl]

I think your phal can be saved.

The suggestions above by Margaret and mehibatel are good ones. I would follow those suggestions which are helpful regarding your hybrid.