Oh nooooo! (Phalaenopsis might not make it due to rot)

[orquideaborracha]

I'm posting pictures for information and a tale of caution more than anything. I don't think she'll make it, but I'll see what I can do.

I noticed a week or two ago that my mini Phal's newest root stopped growing as aggressively as it had been. Then I noticed some yellowing bottom leaves. They'd always been kind of leathery, so I figured it was saying goodbye to its old leaves. I stopped watering it just in case, but then started to notice the new root looking kind of shrivelly and dark near where the fallen leaf sheathes were.

Well today was watering day and I took a closer look. I could see something dark and fuzzy down in the bark. Yesterday I watched a terrifying video about black rot, which said to quarantine The orchid and take it seriously -immediately-. I really should have inspected closer sooner. I don't think it was black rot, but the video did impress just how quickly something could bring down an orchid.

The pics below are from its unpotting and hydrogen peroxide bath. (They speak for themselves). I cut away roots pretty aggressively and repotted in new media after a hydrogen peroxide bath. She's in quarantine now. I don't think she'll make it, but damned if I don't try.

[Roberta]

The dark patches in the crown point to crown rot. Sometimes when a Phal loses the crown, it will grow a basal keiki if it has a good root system, But after lopping off the roots (I see some that look like they were good before they were cut off) and using peroxide on roots - that destroys root hairs, I doubt very much that it will survive.

Question, why would you stop watering if it lost old leaves? This is not a nobile Dendrobium that loses leaves when it's time for dormancy. Phals need water all the time. But if it seems to have problems, taking it out of the pot and having a look is good. Cutting off parts is not good. With crown rot, usually that's curtains. But at least, give it a chance! (A few drops of peroxide in the crown probably does no harm, but likely doesn't do any good either)