Phaius Tankerville Brown Bulb

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Hi, I have two Phaius orchids and both of them have brown, withered stalks. Is ths normal? I don't think I overwatered them. The potting medium does look old. Should I repot? This is my first attempt to grow these.
The other bulbs, or stalks, on the plants look healthy. I've included pictures.
Thanks

[Leafmite]

Hi! I am not seeing any pictures. Are the stalks dry or squishy? If they are dry, they might just be old pseudobulbs that are finished and can be gently removed. From what I have read, most people cut the old bulbs back once the new growth has gotten to a certain size. If squishy and new growths, that is a problem that can spread.

I am new with these, too, so I don't know if you need to pot these in new medium. Mine were in tired-looking NZ S. moss and very small pots with the new growths just beginning so I took the opportunity to pot mine into a Phrag mix from Roberts Flower Supply that contains: sphagnum moss, small fir bark, turface, forest humus, Sponge Roc, & vermiculite. I am guessing you can buy/mix a better medium for your own but this was all that I could find at our orchid show and it seems to be working very well for the two Phaius orchids. I am using clear pots so that I can see how the roots are doing.
Good luck!

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Thanks for your reply the brown, or dead, bulbs are not squish and the roots are healthy so its not root rot.
Your right- its probably just old bulbs.
for repotting, are these orchids similar to cattelya's, where the oldest growths are put next to the pot so the new growth can grow into the media?
Thank you again!!!

[Leafmite]

Good news that they are old pseudobulbs.

I wasn't sure what to do when I potted up mine so I potted them in the middle. One had not yet begun a new growth but the medium needed to be changed.

Here is a video that you might find helpful: