Heartbroken My moth Orchid leaves eaten by a snail

[amulchandra]

Hi all,

I am a newbie. I have a moth orchid which I repotted recently. It did not bloom for the past 2 years.I was trying to take advantage of the day and night temperature differences to make it spike by moving the pot to patio during nights and to a window during day times. The orchid responded well with a few news leaves and new roots. But today morning when I got the plant inside I found that the new leaflet and the fully grown leaves were eaten (by a snail probably).It still has four healthy leaves.I immediately sprinkled some cinnamon powder on the open wounds. Can any of you tell me whether my phal will survive? I am so heart broken.

Thank you

Amul

[orchidlover55]

I am sure it will, you said it still had four healthy leaves. You will need to watch for the snail if you place it in the same place again. If you post five times you can attach a picture and that would help alot. But if you still have healthy leaves it will be ok. You did the right thing by putting cinnamon on it. Keep us updated and to the forum .

[amulchandra]

Thank you very much for a prompt reply. This forum is a great resource for newbies like me.

Amul

[orchidlover55]

I did forget to say something . You may want to check on the roots. If you carefully take it out of the pot and just make sure there isn't anything eating on the root system. If it were me that is what I would do but wait until you hear from a few more geeks and see what they tell you to do also. Good Luck

[mehitabel]

So sorry, Amul. I know that's a shock, and yes, heartbreaking. But don't despair.

First, dusting cinnamon on the wounds was the right thing to do. It will dry the edges and prevent rot from taking hold.

Second, sometimes a phal can lose its newest leaf, but the growth center is still alive, and another new leaf will form and find it's way thru the cinnamon. Even if the growth center is gone (which I doubt, since a snail couldn't get at it), with four healthy leaves and it's root intact, it will put up a new crown from below. Maybe even several. So you could end up with a huge gorgeous, multi-crown phal.

In fact, I saw this advice from an expierenced grower on how he got basal keikis to form in order to create a multi-crown phal: "Get a screwdriver and dig it into the crown til it's all gone."Not that I would do it, but...

One rule I use for orchids. NEVER put them on the ground (or floor) outdoors. Too many nasties running around to get into the pots out there. Put them on a piece of eggcrate, or pot risers, or a table, but not on the floor.

I hope you'll update this post and things develop, so we can keep track of what happens.

[amulchandra]

Thank you.
Sure I will post my updates.

Amul

[mehitabel]

Hey, orchidlover. I didn't think of that-- whatever ate the leaves could be living in the pot and happily chomping away at the roots. So I agree, either de-pot and look at the roots as Orchidlover suggest, or drench the roots with something like Safers Insecticidal Soap, which is safe for drenching.

Water the orchid thoroughly before drenching. Never apply chemicals to a dry plant.

[lmartiny]

Snails are wreaking havoc here as well and they chomped a particluar favorite Phal. so I share your anger and frustration. I spot check and pick them off and am getting ready to resort to stronger actions.

[patticake]

The only 2 orchids that I have outside, are my 2 cymbidiums that Cindy sent me a year or so ago. I checked them yesterday, and one had snails all over it! I doused them with brookn's recipe. Flushed them well! (Poured the mix through the bark) I know that most swear by summering their orchids outside, but this is why I hate to. The rest of my collection stays inside...

amulchandra- Keep your chin up! Hopefully the plant didn't suffer too much damage. Orchids are surprisingly strong...

[Filb]

I had a similar issue where I'd put my phal outside and bunnies ravaged the roots and two of the leaves.
I was very upset.. Though it bounced right back and now is producing more leaves and roots .
And yes it was on the ground; in hindsight a VERY bad idea.

[mehitabel]

Hi, Filib. Rabbits can be a plague. That's why my orchids have to be on a two-story deck when they're outside. The only things that survive here are herbs and poisonous things like daffs and petunias. Everything else gets eaten to the ground.

I've thought and thought about what I could do to protect my orchids from rabbits and deer out in the yard, and all I could come up with was a wire cage.

[Ms...Mary]

If your Plants are on a concrete slab put some dish detergent (DAWN) spay with water, your snail will be BYE BYE. Dawn is good for ants, worms. When I purchase a new plant from Any were I always Soak my new plant (Orchids) in water with a drop of dawn & Epsom Salt. This will Kill any bugs. And when removing plant roots from a overgrow its pot always do the same help to dislodge roots.

[Tarad]

EWWWW i hate snails are they good for anything? Bunnies are cute BUT if they are gonna mess with my phals they are not. Pacos job is to keep the bunnies in my neighbors yard and he LOVES that job. He would prefer to kill em but he is a little over weight and slow and he cant do it 24/7 so this is why I just dont put my phals outside in the summer to many risk factors. Tara

[PhalPal]

Amul being in San Diego you can just put your phal near an open window at night. I grow lots of orchids outdoors but I have always gotten trouble when I put a phal out there. Now my outdoor 'chids stay outside, and my indoor 'chids stay inside!!

If you really want to put your orchid outdoors you can put him in the center of a mote. Use a pan of anything small that holds a little bit of water, put your orchid in the center but not directly in the water. You can place the orchid pot on top of an inverted pot or a few rocks. A little dishsoap in the water won't hurt, and I have heard beer works especially well for snails!

[amulchandra]

Hi Phalpal,

Last night I did that. I placed the Phal next to a slightly opened window with the mesh sliding door closed.

Thank you very much for your reply.

Amul

[PhalPal]

Amul you will get plenty of cool down to set your spikes. I grow in a room inside my house and just leave the window open all year and it gives my phals their 'seasons' without me having to give it any thought.

[amulchandra]

Hi all,

Two weeks after the snail attack ,the orchid's half eaten leaflet survived and is growing. The orchid has also grown some new roots.

Thank you all once again

Amul

[mehitabel]

Hey, Amul, thanks for the update. Great news

It's wonderful how tuffff orchids are, isn't it?