Sphag and Bag Question

[boxerfan]

I have a Phal that I've been treating with Sphag and bag for over two months now with no sign of root regeneration. Is it time to throw in the towel Thanks, Lisa

[tom499]

I think it comes down to your personal judgement If the plant is still green then it must be taking up water somehow so maybe in a few more weeks visible roots will grow.

I havent used this method before so dont know how much work is needed. But if you dont mind having it around you may as well keep it abit longer

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

It is time to give up when it turns a sickly color of yellow or brown. If it still has healthy color, then you are still on track for a revival. The plant has to decide it is time to grow roots. This may be a seasonal thing and you just have to wait it out. I may take 6 months. I had a small 2 bulb piece of Coelogyne pandorata that was horribly shriveled, and every time I checked it, I asked my self why I kept it going with the sphag & bag, as it was obvious this thing was too far gone. But it kept its color, and 6 months later the piece started a new growth. This was quite a miracle plant, as it produced a very respectable bulb that year, and filled out the old bulbs so that you would never guess how bad they had been. Sad to say, an over heated greenhouse the following winter killed the plant. Such a pity to loose such a great conversation piece.

[spicy0610]

My orchid is also in Sphag and Bag intensive care right now. Do I need to moist the Sphag every week or every other week to keep the humidity level in the zip-lock bag?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Only if you note a drying of the sphag. Moisture loss should be very slow, and probably only when you open the bag to check on the plant.