Phal in trouble

[amaliaforce]

Ok, so I know I'm already putting myself at risk by occasionally buying orchids at Lowes and the like... but usually I'm really careful about checking leaves and roots.
But then there was this guy, a polka dotted phal. Not exactly pretty (IMO), but strange, and like flower, like owner.

So I took it home without checking its roots. Problem is, it has almost none. It has a couple little stubs, and one or two that haven't rotted, so I don't wanna cut them off no matter how not-alive they look.

I have just cut off its flower spike - it can't be helping the plant any - and all the bad roots. I soaked it for a bit in a combo of fert and superthrive. Now what? Should I spag and bag, or soak more?
Also, while its roots are virtually nonexistant, it does have 5 green leaves - limp, of course - and a good, green center. If I spag and bag, how do I keep the water off the leaves?

[Sharyn]

I'm no expert but I wouldn't be fertilizing a plant in trouble. If you've removed all the medium, you can place it in a large gallon size zip lock bag with sphag. moss moistened and close the bag. I've had mine in a bag for only 6-7 days and already it has quite a few tiny tiny roots starting.

Here are the links I used for help.
Spagh. & Bag Advice Needed
http://www.firstrays.com/sphagnbag.htm
Bagging with moss question

[jerrymeola]

Never use fertilizer on sick plants. Orchids need very little fertilizer and a sick plant cna not use any of it. The fertilizer can further burn the roots.

Benign neglect is the best care for a sick plant.

[amaliaforce]

Then I will benignly neglect away!

The plant in question is bagged, in a low light level area, and I'll try to get through a whole week without paying attention to it.


I bet I make it through 5 days.

[garynail]

One thing for sure, it's pretty and even if it doesn't survive it may have been worth the money. Hope it makes it.

[Maddy]

Originally Posted by garynail

One thing for sure, it's pretty and even if it doesn't survive it may have been worth the money. Hope it makes it.

Without you, it wouldn't have had any kind of chance at all.

Just a thought - Orchids For Dummies recommended rooting hormones for orchids with serious root loss. Would that be a good idea once the orchid shows some signs of new roots? I currently have one bagged-up myself that only has one partial root left (not sure what happened to it - same mix, same watering, same care as my others that are thriving) and I remembered reading that only after I'd bagged it.

[amaliaforce]

You know Maddy, I didn't even think about that until you said something - if I hadn't brought it home, it would be at Lowes right now... surely on its way to the dumpster. It makes me feel better. I'll feel WAY better when it starts growing new roots, though!

I appreciate the compliment, garynail. My family usually ooohs and aahhs over the plants I bring home, but with that one they said "It's.... different." The little guy can use the love.

I'd be curious about the rooting hormone, too. Did it give examples of what that could be? Like superthrive and the like, or something more specific to root growth?