phal aerial roots

[dra]

This time I have a phal problem. Phal is potted in bark. Over the winter the plant did not show any signs of a watering problem. Since the last time I watered, a few dyas ago, now it does. I checked the roots. The roots buried inside the medium have rotted. However it has 4 healthy aerial roots. Should I leave the aerial roots as is and water as usual? Or should I mist the roots AND water as usual. Or should I just repot, covering the aerial roots. The leaves are limp and not firm. How can I get them to firm up again?

[jay]

If the leaves are limp, that is a sign of a water uptake problem. It is usually rotted roots, which you have already confirmed.

First step, you need to repot this right away. You will want to clean off all of the old media and trim off any dead/mushy roots. When you repot the plant you can certainly put the aerial roots into the mix.

Second, we have to figure out what caused the rot. How long have you had this plant? How long has it been since its last repot? If the mix is real old and breaking down, this will restrict the airflow and allow anaerobic bacteria to form which causes rot. New media will fix this problem.

If the mix still looks good, then:
Is the mix in the center bone dry or soaking wet? I am going to guess it is one of these. The plant is either not getting enough water, or most likely getting too much water. When it is time to water, how do you do it? Soaking the pot or pouring water through? If you pour through, how much water do you pour through?

If you have any pictures of the leaves, roots, and the whole plant it would really help us determine how to help.

[englandfx]

Well once the leaves of phals go limp, it is unlikely that they will firm up again, especially if they are the older leaves (ones at the base).

There are some cases where limp leaves have been known to firm up again through proper culture.

[brookn]

I have Phals that had root issues in the past and their leaves eventually firmed up with good culture. Thing is they look terrible, but they are providing for the plant. I would say the process took several months, while the plant grew new roots and started new leaves. What you want to concern yourself with is proper culture right now. I agree with everything that Jay said. Definitely repot. Here are some links for you:

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/new...f-orchids.html

AOS | Phalaenopsis

[Ron]

Hi.
My penny worth in this.
Defiantly repot the plant, problem cause is most likely old potting mix, combination of a cold spell.
The love to kept warm, above 70f day times, love the fresh mix, I try to do mine each year, or every 2 years.
I use a bark of 15mm about your 1/2 inch or bigger.
This gives good drainage, the roots love it as it is nice and open.
I water over head with a rose head on a garden hose, leaves love to be keep clean, fertilize ever 2nd watering in summer as you need to grow the plant fairly quickly.
The limp leaves, especially the newer ones should pick up once repotted and kept warm plus with the new root growth.
Best of luck Ron

[dra]

thanks for the advice. repotted the plant i new medium. the center of the medium was definitely damp. what surprised me was how i did not notice the plants condition. the leaves were firm last summer and all winter. that is until i noticed them a few weeks ago. during the winter i would soak or let water run through once a week. now that the days are getting longer, i have been watering or soak twice a week. maybe this plant was still dormant when i increased the watering.

[violetta]

dra, Phals do not go dormant.
If they are potted in trasparent plastic pots, you can check it for signs of moisture. If no moisture is present, then it's time to water the plant.
You can also tell by looking at the roots, when they are wet they are green and as they dry out they turn to silver/ white.
Or you can use the skewer method mentioned above to determine when the Phals need watering.