What would you do with this phal?

[Kim in CT]

This was my first orchid, a discounted rescue that I was able to rebloom successfully. That's the good news. The bad news is, I repotted from moss to semihydro without knowing anything about timing and new root growth, so I nearly killed it. Most of the roots rotted away. The good news is, I treated it with KelpMax in an inverted plastic bag (thanks, Ray), and 8 MONTHS LATER it is finally growing new roots (see pics)!

So, what should I do now? The lower leaves are dehydrated and/or dying. The top 4 leaves are nice and turgid, and the new roots are forming about 3 inches above the LECA. There's a nice aerial root up there, too. Do I repot so the new roots are at the top of the medium? Submerge the aerial root? Chop off the bottom trunk before repotting? I can see one lower root going down into the LECA.... maybe that's what kept it alive?

What would YOU do?

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

I would take the plant out of the pot and examine the root system, besides the fried lower leaves it looks like the two leaves above are starting to wrinkle which is major indication of root problem. Once I have plant out I would removed any bad/rotted/dried roots and spray wash whole plant and let dry for a day or two. Then spray with some fungicide or sprinkle all cuts with cinnamon, then repot in a new pot with fresh media and keep plant thirsty (no watering, just occasional mist) until you see new roots coming out. At that point resume normal phal culture

[Shadeflower]

I agree with ben.

switching to semi-hydro can cause all the old roots to rot, it happens when the old roots are already in a questionable state so these things happen but when it does happen you should let the stem dry.
Looking at this plant that is what I am most worried about, if the roots rot, the plant can grow new ones, but if the stem starts rotting it can end up progressing for months.

I would take this one out of its pot, remove any rotten bits, let it dry for one day then put it back it in the plastic greenhouse with the roots sitting on some moss (not buried in it)

Once the new roots are at least 3 cm long then you can decide to stick it back in S/H. It was only the old roots that could not adapt but as long as any previous rot is removed and dried then this one will love S/H.

I know ironic me saying that as it is in S/H currently! but like Ben I think leaving it as it is is dangerous. At least look at what happened to the stem.

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

I agree with ben.
switching to semi-hydro can cause all the old roots to rot, it happens when the old roots are already in a questionable state so these things happen but when it does happen you should let the stem dry.
Looking at this plant that is what I am most worried about, if the roots rot, the plant can grow new ones, but if the stem starts rotting it can end up progressing for months.

I agree with Ben and Shadeflower. Rather then repeat what they said, I'll just add some comments.

This plant does not appear to be in trouble. It looks like it needs to thoroughly dry out and then have an opportunity to re-root.

I would take this one out of its pot, remove any rotten bits, let it dry for one day then put it back it in the plastic greenhouse with the roots sitting on some moss (not buried in it)

The only thing I would like to add is, after you remove it from the media I'd let it dry out until it is paper dry everywhere. This could be a day, but if it has an active infection the infected area may not dry. If you find this to be the case, there may be an infection that requires treatment.

If you want to do some intensive care, there are two additional things you could do. These measures are not necessary, but could help speed the recovery.

Your plant will re-hydrate more quickly if you remove it from the bag and moisten the velamen of the aerial roots when you notice that they're dry. Just take care not to put it back in the bag with water on other parts of the plant, and to only moisten the roots when they are dry (silver-white). You can do this as often as you'd like. Again, this is only an optional additional effort.

You could also give it a boost by treating it with KelpMax again. Once it is thoroughly dry, you can give it a good long drink and a hormone boost by soaking the entire plant in 1Tbs/gal for 4-6 hours, then let it dry out again before re-bagging. Only do this if there are absolutely no signs of active stem or root rot. Again, this is not necessary, but will likely help speed the recover.

Once the new roots are at least 3 cm long then you can decide to stick it back in S/H. It was only the old roots that could not adapt but as long as any previous rot is removed and dried then this one will love S/H.

I know ironic me saying that as it is in S/H currently! but like Ben I think leaving it as it is is dangerous. At least look at what happened to the stem.

I 100% agree.
-Keith

[WaterWitchin]

I'd also definitely be getting it out of the pot to look at the stem. Were it mine I'd also be cutting off at least the bottom three leaves, maybe four, because that's just how I roll. As ShadeFlower says... once you get those new roots going just a bit more, get it back into SH so they're adapted to it.

I would never use cinnamon on a root. A cut off leaf, yes, but never a root.

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

from K-Sci
"This plant does not appear to be in trouble. It looks like it needs to thoroughly dry out and then have an opportunity to re-root."
this plant is in trouble, pls note red arrows pointing to three leaves that are having their cell structure deflated by bad/dried/rotted roots, only a bit of green root is visible. the leaves pointed to will dry up and die. New roots if they can grow, will generate much smaller leaves and plant will have to rebuilt its root structure and hopefully grow sequentially larger leaves.

[Shadeflower]

some good old drying should do the trick ben, I don't think it is an issue that can't still easily be rectified.

This phal will be quite tough too, it's fairly big already. Like said the only thing to watch out for is that the stem gets a chance to dry out completely, that should stem any active infection (if there even is one, there might not be! It's impossible to tell from the picture, my advice is on the side of caution)

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

some good old drying should do the trick ben, I don't think it is an issue that can't still easily be rectified.

Right. Unless there is some stem rot we can't see, Ben, this plant is far from being on death's door. With a bit of TLC, the prognosis is excellent. It is very dehydrated, but it has one root in the media, a nice actively growing aerial root, and two more new roots just starting. I've had Phalaenposis in much worse condition fully recover within a few months.

-Keith

[WaterWitchin]

Agree with ShadeFlower and KSci. It's kicking out new roots, growing some good leaves on the top. It looks like a phal that was shifted to SH at the wrong time, got stressed, and has practically already recovered.

It needs a good haircut, a shower, a nice dry towel, and it should be ready to rock again.

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Agree with ShadeFlower and KSci...It needs a good haircut, a shower, a nice dry towel, and it should be ready to rock again.

True, provided it doesn't test positive for the China Virus. (: Taking your human analogy a step further
-Keith