Need help with my mini phal

[Puddy1]

This poor thing has been struggling since I've gotten it. I'm wondering if she is a candidate for the sphag & bag. That is where I put her today after dipping her roots in hydrogen peroxide. Is this right? Anything else I should do?

[iluvorchids]

I've had a phal that looked like this. I put it in a yogurt cup with some moss. I'd check on it daily to see if it needed more watering.

I'm sure someone else has other ideas.

[PhalNewbie89]

Mine with small roots seem to do well with Leca as well. No way to possible overwater the small amounts of roots and roots come springing out looking for water.

[Dendian]

Well, I don't know - you do have some roots there. The spagh and bag is usually for completely rootless plants, and you do have to monitor to check for rot (and make sure none of the spagh is touching the plant). It might be better to pot it up and stake it down (don't want it to wiggle while the roots are growing) and put a baggie over each side of the leaves to keep them from being dehydrated while it decides to grow new roots. If you have any rooting hormone or superthrive - or both - you could soak plant in that to give it a kick start.

[Puddy1]

Originally Posted by Dendian

Well, I don't know - you do have some roots there. The spagh and bag is usually for completely rootless plants, and you do have to monitor to check for rot (and make sure none of the spagh is touching the plant). It might be better to pot it up and stake it down (don't want it to wiggle while the roots are growing) and put a baggie over each side of the leaves to keep them from being dehydrated while it decides to grow new roots. If you have any rooting hormone or superthrive - or both - you could soak plant in that to give it a kick start.

I have not been able to find superthrive but I do have a powder type rooting hormone. What would you suggest for a medium, moss or bark or both? It is what I have on hand currently. Thanks for the help

[Dendian]

Good - put the powdered rooting hormone on the roots. You can either put a bit in your hand and dunk the plant in your hand to cover the base, or sprinkle it on over a piece of clean newspaper until they are pretty much covered.

Hmmm... to make it grow roots it needs to stay on the dry side - say "GO GET THE WATER". I would put it in small bark - soak it first to get it hydrated - then let it go mostly dry. Those roots will get the message - and start going to find the water. If you do the moss, be careful to let it dry almost all the way out - they need the message to go get the water. If you have clear plastic pots - definitely use them - that way you can see the moisture level. I found that by watering from the bottom of the plant it keeps the humidity up but doesn't let the top get as wet - once again "go GET the water"

[otis 226]

Dendian's advice sounds solid to me. All I would add is I've become a big believer in liquid seaweed in the last couple of weeks. The product I have is called 'maxicrop' and a capful to a gal of water makes a spray that seems to revitalize most every plant I tried it on so far. I DO NOT have any vested interest in this product, just decided to try it when I couldn't find more B1 solution. And I really like it.
When you think that there are type of seaweed that can grow 8-12" per day, makes you stop and think. Couldn't hurt to read about it online and see what you think.
Best,
Tony

[Puddy1]

Thanks for the great info Dian. Will get started with that tomorrow morning.

Hi Tony...I have seen the seaweed liquid at one of the nurseries I frequent. So when you make the spray...you spray the leaves only? Do you use it to water?

[orchids4me]

Originally Posted by Puddy1

I have not been able to find superthrive but I do have a powder type rooting hormone. What would you suggest for a medium, moss or bark or both? It is what I have on hand currently. Thanks for the help

Superthrive, do you have a home depot or a local hydroponcs store there. ? Both carry superthrive here.
You could chop up a bit of sphag and mix it with some medium size bark and perlite, and charcoal (last to if you have it) this way you stil have an airy mix that holds a bit of moisture. Still watch not to over water and rot the remaining roots. Or pot in spag and water when the sphag starts to get crunchy in the tinyest pot you can find or use a yogurt cup and melt some holes for drainage. You can even melt some holes in the sides to help with air circulation and even drying so the center of the moss doesn't stay to wet. Even small clay orchid pots ( home depot has them) work well when using moss for even drying between watering.
Good luck!
Emmaye

[Puddy1]

[QUOTE=orchids4me;273753]Superthrive, do you have a home depot or a local hydroponcs store there. ? Both carry superthrive here.

I've checked all the Lowes around me and most of the Home Depots (I have 1 left) and the nursery I go to for my orchid supplies carries the hydroton & liquid seaweed but no Superthrive They have other rooting products but not that one in particular. Sure wish I could find it

[Greybeard]

I hope you find what you need for your little one, I haven't run in to a problem with mine yet but we all know you'll take extra care of it Good luck