rootless phal

[bjorkid]

I got it from a lowes, and like an idiot thought i would just keep it in a pot without drainage holes for just a week until I got another container. Of course the roots all rotted and I had to cut them off. I was about to throw it away but decided it was a good opportunity to learn from my mistakes. I've kept it outside (I live in jacksonville fl) and misted it's rootless stump daily and although I lost 2 leaves it grew another 2 and is now starting brand new roots from the base. The fact that its even alive is amazing to me, but what should I do to encourage more root growth?

[sandra]

I just went through losing my rootless phal so first of all, congratulations. It's nice to read success stories. (I'm jealous too! My avatar is my now, decesased Phal.) I was nursing mine and it was coming along nicely and then, it developed a bacterial infection. I'm still unclear as to what happened but I think this infection may have been brewing to cause this (root loss)..still not sure though.

It's curious that Lowes or anywhere, who gets their orchids from nurseries/distributors would have an orchid in a pot without drainage holes???

I've used the rooting hormone, SuperThrive and it seems to work well. There's also KLN, which I haven't tried but have heard good things about.

Best of luck with this.

[bjorkid]

Thanks for the advice. It looks like that was a really pretty orchid to lose, but at least you did get a nice avatar out of the deal. The lowes container was fine, I was just inexperienced enough to think that I could use a more decorative one temporarily. I should have just placed the original inside the larger one like a cachepot, but live and learn. Should I place anything over the patient to raise the humidity?

[sandra]

Originally Posted by bjorkid

Should I place anything over the patient to raise the humidity?

There are ways to do it 'over' by putting a plastic bag on the plant. I'm not exactly sure if it calls for that now or how it's done, exactly. You can get a humidity tray or make your own by placing a saucer with pebbles or rocks with added water, under the plant. The pot should not be sitting in the water. Do a search here on the forum. I've got to do the exact same thing now with all my orchids as the humidity has dropped quite a bit here in Fla.