Oh Boy, another problem

[Sassismom]

I decided to repot another phal. that just finished blooming. It was in sphagnum moss also, and that's why I decided to repot. Well it's the same as
the last one, no viable roots to be found. Is it done or is there some miraculous thing I can do so save it...I hope so because I really love this one.

[FLaCo]

I'm sorry but which one is the last one? What happen to it? I'll wait for your response. Remember though...Phal aren't that bad to save. Look under the Orchid Cultivation Forum Category and look for 'My Saved Phal". This thing barely had any roots because of rot. So I gave it a chance and now it is loving life. I got a piece of mount in this case it was cork and added some moss around the little ball of roots it had. I tied the Spag with some stretch tape. I placed it in a section where it got light but not very much. After a few months it has roots galore and new leaves.

Keep you hopes up they are strong. Let us know how bad it really is.

[FLaCo]

My saved Phal.

That is the post...hope it helps.

[Sassismom]

Well Damien, it hasn't got any roots left, all rotted off, it has nice green leaves however.

[Sassismom]

I don't have anything like that that I can mount it to. Any other suggestions I could try?
Please?

[kid a]

You could try spag n bag technique. I had a fall that happened to and just repotted it and upped the humidity and its roots are growing like crazy and it has two new leaves. here is a link to the sphag n bag:, well i can't find it. Basically take a ziploc bag or container and put some moist sphag in it leave the corener or seal open and put your plant in there.

[E-Jag]

Search "sphag 'n bag" or just lay the plant on a damp towel and spray it every day. Might want to use a little rooting compound initially. I've heard that surrounding them with speakers and playing the entire soundtrack from"Hair" works really well, also, but I suspect that's just a rumor.

___________________
E-Jag

[brookn]

There is another technique used by Brooke, you place the phal on a bed of sphag, and bath or soak the leaves with a fertilizer solution every day. Let me see if I can find it.

Yellow spots on bottom leaves (Phal)

[Sassismom]

Well now I'm really confused as to what to do. Do I wrap it and spray or just do like leela did and sit it in an empty pot and give it daily baths. Is this root stimulator a special one for orchids or will any do? I'm very eager to try this, I want to save her little life also, here's her pic., she doesn't have a fragrance, but I love her coloring.

[Sassismom]

Well I was hoping someone would add a little something else here. So I guess I'll just give it a try on my own following the link, thanks for the link brookn, that was very helpful.

[brookn]

Hey, Brooke's method seems more sound to me, sphag and bag can be iffy if not done perfectly. The reason it seems so sound to me is that most of my Phals grow these glorious air roots, and they only get watered when the plant is watered about once a week, so I know that the plant can survive with this method (also from seeing the results), and there is not as much of a worry about fungus, or more rot. Hope that helps.

[Sassismom]

Thanks brookn, I have actually tried the sphag n bag before with the same moldy results, that otheres have mentioned. Thanks, so is it spraying the leaves with fertilizer or soaking them in fertilizer & water?

[Sassismom]

Ok, never mind I just reread the whole thing again. I got it now. Now to find something large enough to soak it in, the leaves left on it are quite large.

[brookn]

Well she said to bathe them, I would put it upside down in the fert. and Superthrive, and let it sit for a few minutes. She also said she carefully wiped the crown, but you should also be okay sitting it upside down (across the pot should work or on a towel) and let it dry. Maybe Brooke will weigh in on my suggestion.

[Sassismom]

Thanks brookn

[Brooke]

Cheryl I used a plastic storage type container for the process - shallow and wide. It was soaked upside down, then drained, the crown was then dried off and placed back in the container on damp sphag. The sphag was dampened when needed. It was in the same area as the rest of the phals so same light, same everything. I never spritzed the leaves between the soak treatments. The most amazing thing is the leaves never dehydrated even with no roots on the plant.

It is important to soak all of the leaves, not just the upper portion but the undersides too. The phal in the link now has roots filling a 2" pot and needs to be up potted - it is on my very long "to do" list.

Brooke

[Sassismom]

Thanks Brooke, a plastic container sounds perfect. Can I use this same method for an oncidiun, that I suspect might be in the same condition? I have to check, but it hasn't grown and is slowly losing all it's leaves.

[Brooke]

I don't have a clue about the oncidium, I've only done phals.

Brooke

[brookn]

Pot up the Oncidium, treat with peroxide if necessary, or cinnamon spray or both, and make sure it stays evenly watered. Good air flow, water when almost dry, and good light. You can put a baggie over the pot to increase humidity. That's what I did with a small part of one of mine that came apart when I repotted.

[Sassismom]

Thanks brookn...this is great, you guys know everything.

[brookn]

Well, I can't guarantee it will make it, I can just tell you what worked for me. I learned all of the stuff I know here. I also watered with Superthrive in water every other week. No fert. until it starts shooting out some decent roots.

[Sassismom]

What exactly is superthrive, I don't think I've seen it around here.

[brookn]

Well I get it from Wal Mart here, I am not sure where you could get it in your area. I wish Pikevi were around more, as he's from your area, and I am sure he would be able to tell you where to find it. It's good for stimulating root growth, and growth in general if used in moderation. You can read about it here:

SUPERthrive - Worlds number one plant supply - Twice as big in only 3 months

Sounds like snake oil, but plants seem to like it.

[myorchid]

Superthrive is a rooting hormone. I got mine at Home Depot, I have also seen it at Lowe's.

[myorchid]

LOL, Brookn you and I were posting at the same time!!!

[brookn]

Too funny!!!!

[Sassismom]

Thank you, I'll have a look when I'm out and about tomorrow.