My first repot- traditional way failed?

[WaterWitchin]

Gotcha. And I’m not saying I’m against FWC... it just doesn’t work well for my setup. When/if you transfer fromFWC to a bark mix, try to have some new roots going, or put in a coarse mix you can water frequently til it transitions.

[Bribie]

Ray, thank you for the comment.
Good to know about water temperature above 70F/21C.
Today is quite cool with a bit of rain and our heater is going inside. I checked to see how cold the water in those vases just now. They are 21.1C!

[estación seca]

21C is cool for Phals. They won't grow much at those temperatures. A heat mat might help. Be sure to set a container of water on it, allow it to equilibrate and check the temperature before putting your plant on it.

[Rhonda Svoboda]

HI:
I am not sure that the potting mix is the problem. What you used is fine. The yeallow leaves can indicate a bit of sunburn or overwatering. I would suggest removing it from sun and keep the soil moist but not to the point of root rot. Give it a few months to recover.
I had one that Suffered a severe set back but its finally showing new grow. You could remove the yellowed leaves or just leave them. Hang in there- pay close attention ot the roots- keep moist. It also could be suffering a bit of shock from transplantation.

[SouthPark]

The temperature could be an issue for sure - especially in Canada during winter time. There is definitely something in 'sad, cold, wet, and sorry' - humanised orchids.

[Bribie]

Hi Rhonda,
I’m sure it’s not the Sun burn. There are no healthy roots left. This one is in ICU with sphag’n bag.

[SouthPark]

Bribie - if the temperature is kept at nice suitable range, and the regular roots of the phal don't stay wet or overly wet for relatively long amounts of time, and some very gentle air-movement is in the growing area ---- very gentle, then that will provide some nice base conditions for growing the phal.

[SouthPark]

Bribie - if you have more phals later, you could probably grab some ideas from the attached image. I currently grow my phal this way ------ actually, I grow most of my covered-area orchids this way in the tropics.

I don't strictly adhere to everything shown in the image though. For example, for some orchids where I know that their roots can handle being more wet, I have no trouble with watering close to the orchid's stem as well.

The diagram does show scoria ----- but also can be applied to bark, bark/perlite etc. And also, using different size media pieces at different levels of the pot isn't essential. I just showed it in the diagram as an option - for maybe handling big deep pots - drainage and air-flow considerations in/through the pots.

[SouthPark]

Bribie ----- forgot to mention. All the best with your orchid in ICU!!!! Hope it makes it!!

[Bribie]

SouthPark,
Thank you so much for your advice. I love the diagram!
What is the egg crate grate and what do you use for the separator?
I know all the ICU phals will make it. Ive never killed my phals before!!