Difficulty with Phal. celebensis

[jpyerry]

Good evening geeks,

I have had a Phalaenopsis celebensis now for about a month and a half. When I received it, it was (as usual) really overpotted, with roots not in the best condition. I repotted it to a net pot with lightly packed sphagnum moss. Since then its leaves have been coming off. First they become oedematous before coming off. I have not unpotted yet to recheck the roots. Right now the plant has one good leaf left and the other is liquefying.

I am not sure how to proceed, should I sphag and bag this one? Is this one of those species that only grows properly mounted and I missed that while doing my pre-purchase research? If so, what is the best mount material for it?

I will post pics tomorrow, I just got home and I am too exhausted to do it right now. I just wanted to get this one up, so I can get a little feedback before doing anything drastic.

Thanks,
Justin

[Ron]

Hi sounds like a major problem! leaves commonly do this if the tempature drops below about 60F or colder, especially if medium is cold and wet.
best course of action if it was mine would be to take it out of the pot, strip all medium off the remaining roots, place it in a warmish spot with medium good filtered light and just await new root or leaf growth.
but too me sounds to far gone.
remember most Phalaenopsis species are semi to tropical plants and realy need warmth to grow successful.

[psyc1210]

This is a species that I strongly suggest mounting. I used cork for mine, and it is firmly attached and looks happy and healthy.

[jpyerry]

Well, I am out of mounting material at the moment. I will have to order another cork mount. In the meantime, I am going to repot in bark for the time being. After the deed is done, I will put up pictures.

In the future, anytime I acquire I buy one of the less common Phal. species, I think I am going to solicit information before buying from my fellow geeks on this forum. I can't help but think I might have averted disaster by asking first.

Justin

[jpyerry]

I have repotted into another net pot with medium grade orchiata, perlite, hydroton, and cork. The roots did not seem too horrible. I am not going to give up hope on this plant yet. I will try to order a cork mount for it today or tomorrow. Here are the pictures:

[psyc1210]

I buy cork by the pound from a local pet store. I don't have time to sit and wait for cork to come in the mail

[jpyerry]

I really need to check out the pet stores, you aren't the first person to give me that advice. I usually forget to do so, because I generally go in and get whatever aquarium supplies I need, start looking at other aquarium stuff, start wishing I had a better aquarium, and then leave when I realize I don't have enough money to buy that 50 gallon aquarium that has been on my wishlist for forever now.

But, normally I order supplies from repotme.com because I usually get anything I order the very next day in the morning, it is almost as fast as going to a store.

Anyway, I hope this guy pulls through, my Phal. lowii was in worse condition when I get it and I managed to nurse it back to health. I have my fingers crossed.

Justin

[psyc1210]

Originally Posted by jpyerry

I really need to check out the pet stores, you aren't the first person to give me that advice. I usually forget to do so, because I generally go in and get whatever aquarium supplies I need, start looking at other aquarium stuff, start wishing I had a better aquarium, and then leave when I realize I don't have enough money to buy that 50 gallon aquarium that has been on my wishlist for forever now.

But, normally I order supplies from repotme.com because I usually get anything I order the very next day in the morning, it is almost as fast as going to a store.

Anyway, I hope this guy pulls through, my Phal. lowii was in worse condition when I get it and I managed to nurse it back to health. I have my fingers crossed.

Justin

I like repotme because I can go pickup my order locally...however, the prices for cork I find from their website versus the price at the pet store, I'll buy at the pet store. Plus if I buy big pieces at the pet store I can choose thickness, shape, etc instead of just hoping they send me a good one.

[Ron]

Hi just love the pattern on the leaves, far too nice to lose, best of luck with the new mix

[jpyerry]

Originally Posted by Ron

Hi just love the pattern on the leaves, far too nice to lose, best of luck with the new mix

Thank you, that is very nice of you to say. Hopefully, I will only have it in the mix for a few days before I get my cork mount in the mail.

Justin

[1joyceh]

well, you do have a good root Justin,
so that means a good chance it will come back for you
keep us posted

[jpyerry]

I thought I would post an update on this plant. I believe the plant is on the mend, though I don't think I am quite out of the woods just yet. But, yesterday, I found the very small start of a new leaf! I could only see it with a magnifying lens, but it is definitely a new leaf. Once it gets big enough I will post a picture. I definitely think this is a good sign.

Justin

[psyc1210]

Originally Posted by jpyerry

I thought I would post an update on this plant. I believe the plant is on the mend, though I don't think I am quite out of the woods just yet. But, yesterday, I found the very small start of a new leaf! I could only see it with a magnifying lens, but it is definitely a new leaf. Once it gets big enough I will post a picture. I definitely think this is a good sign.

Justin

Good to hear! if anything were to happen I know where to get a good seedling sized celebensis for a good price and could send you one. Never hurts to have two! haha

[jpyerry]

Originally Posted by psyc1210

Good to hear! if anything were to happen I know where to get a good seedling sized celebensis for a good price and could send you one. Never hurts to have two! haha

Too true! I think I should take you up on the offer.

Justin

[Dendian]

I think you should too. If one is good - two would be even better. So glad to hear its in recovery.

I had a similar problem with my P. Princess Kaiulan, her leaves liquified and rotted out one by one - then she got crown rot. I finally figured out that this one does not like to go below 60 - at all! I have her sitting on top of an oil heater turned on waay low - and she is now showing some new growth. With the crown rot dried up there is a new green something in there - and I put some Keiki Pro to hopefully get a keiki going off one of the green spikes.

[jpyerry]

The leaf got a little bigger, so here is the photo:

[Ron]

Looking good, best of luck

[Kansas]

This is what its all about. I get much more excited by this type of success story then I do watching a bloom that was already set on when a plant arrives from a vendor. With me the real fun is knowing that MY attentions are what cause the plant to grow and thrive.

[hera]

Here's a link to species info on the celebensis. Good luck with it. If you are afraid to overwater, try daily misting. Sometimes it helps jumpstart root growth.

http://www.orchidspecies.com/phalcelebensis.htm