Newbie trying to save a Phal

[ldk]

One of my phals is in trouble. Pretty sure the entire bottom is dead, but the crown appears o.k. and there are several plump roots and nodules trying to become roots. Also a flower stem has been trying to do something for weeks and a new leaf is growing. The three old leaves are very sad looking - very dark and droopy. Have been keeping it alive by misting the roots at the crown a couple of times a day. Need some help with repotting since the bottom seems dead. I know to cut off the dried up roots, but what about the stem? Do I cut it back until I find something living or leave it alone? Should I wrap spagh? Just not sure what to do at this point and I don't want to give up as it's a great challenge to try to bring it back.

[fred]

for the sake of saving your phal yes I would cut off the flower spike.
I would also cut the dead roots off and also re pot back into sphagnum moss
but before we do to much is it possible to see a pic of your phal ?

plus i am sure other members will have other helpful advice for you as well

[ldk]

I can submit a picture, but I thought I had to have 5 posts before I could send a picture?

[jay]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

If you need to get 5 posts then just reply to this post a few more times. We will help figure this out.

[ldk]

Hi Jay, thanks! That's a great idea.

[ldk]

I'll take the picture in a little while and see if I can get it uploaded in the right place.

[ldk]

My yard guy gave me three Phals a few years ago. I knew absolutely nothing about ochids, but the first flowering produced 23 blooms on one spike. I was thrilled!! After blooming I thought it was time to repot. That was two years ago and we have been struggling ever since, but I'm determined and I think the plant is too.

[mehitabel]

Hi, Idk. What you are describing sounds to me like a long bottom-stem on your phal that *used to* have roots, but no longer has, because all the new roots and root nubs are at the top.

Bob Gordon *Culture of the Phalaenopsis Orchid* recommends cutting the bottom of the stem on a phal when it has no live roots on it. He calls this "lowering" the plant. The reason he give is this: without the useless bottom-stem, the phal will fit into a smaller pot. With it, the plant will need a pot that's really too big for the existing roots, and hence the phal will stay too wet, resulting in root rot.

Use a sterile cutter or fresh razor blade to make the cut. Invest in a small bottle of Physan 20 and make up a dilute solution in a spritz bottle. Spritz the entire plant, and the cut stem with the physan. Then dab the cut end in cinnamon to seal it. Repot into the smallest pot that will fit the roots.

Phsan is a contact anti-bacterial, anti-fungal. It works for only a few days, but it really does stop rot. (see the discussion of preventing rot at Al's Orchids:

Example of Stem rot or Crown rot in Phalaenopsis

If you put a baggie over the wilty leaves, it will help preserve them by keeping humidity up until the roots get bigger. I use a small sandwich size baggie on each side, leaving the crown open for air. Give good light, but direct sun will make any bag-covered leaves too hot. Just use your own good common sense here. A humidity tray is also helpful if you have one.

A little sphag around the new roots coming in gives them the humidity they need to keep growing. Also will give a tad more humidity to the leaves. Just enough babying to give them a good start.

Good luck, your question shows you are on the right track!

[ldk]

100_2538.jpg

100_2539.jpg

orchids.jpg

Well, I think this worked - at least it looks o.k. in the preview.

[orchid_girl]

I would definetly cut off all of the dead roots and the stem so your phal can continue to gather energy. Wrap it loosely sphag so it can have the moisture untill it recovers. It looks like it is willing to survive considering it has new roots and all. Just give it a little time after you cut the dead stuff off.

[ldk]

Thanks. Just how far back do I cut the stem and do I just use all sphag to fill a small container, or sphag and bark mixture? Do I then just continue to mist the sphag and roots, rather then actually 'watering' the plant?

[Brooke]

idk I see multiple new roots growing and a couple of them are quite long. I would cut the stem about 1" below the lowest root. Then I would soak those the roots in some tepid water with a small amount of fertilizer and Superthrive or KLN if you have those two products. If not, the fert only will be fine.

I would suggest a smaller pot but if you don't have one, you can put styrofoam peanuts in the bottom of the pot. This will help with drainage and take up vacant space to keep the plant potted shallow and avoid future root damage.

Use whatever you prefer to pot the plant - sphag, bark or a combination. Whatever fits your watering schedule. A phal can be potted in anything and be happy as long as the watering needs are met.

Good luck, I'm sure your phal will survive and bloom for you in the near future.

Brooke

[ldk]

I'll perform the surgery tomorrow with crossed fingers. Thank you all for your input. I really enjoy reading about all the problems and recommendations. keep you posted on how this all works out.

Thanks!

[berkeleysgr8]

This is a prime example of an orchid that needs to be "lowered". I think I would cut the plant just below the new root that is broken (the longest of the new roots). Then seal the cut with cinnamon and leave it unpotted at least overnight to harden/dry the cut area. Regarding what media to pot it in, someone who lives closer to you can give better suggestions for what works in your area. It looks like this plant is a survivor! It's trying to hang in there!

[fred]

berkeleysgr8
good advice I agree that the plant needs to be lowered, myself I would just cut the dead roots in case there are more new growths forming from behind the old remains of the dead leaves.

just my opinion on that one

[LouisW]

All the moisture is in the sphag but all the live roots that are able to absorb it are elevated above the pot. You definitely need to sink those good roots down into the sphag. Because the roots are not getting much moisture the plant looks a little dehydrated hence the droopy leaves. Sadly, like the others said it would be best to cut the spike. This is because flowering takes a lot of energy and the plant needs to focus on generating some new roots.