Help! My rescue phals are growing new leaves, not roots

[Leobaby]

I posted a while ago in August about a few phals which had severe root rot and lost all the roots.
I tried the sphag and bag method, and those two just molded and disintegrated and ended up in the trash.
apart from the two dead ones, I had 3 more. Two normal ones and a mini. I put them each in a glass of moss with water, suspended above it.
The mini just gave me two tiny 1/4 inch nubs, roots. And it's growing a new tiny leaf. The two normal leaves left are all wrinkled, quite badly.
The other two phals, regular size, have grown no roots at all, since August, but they both started a new baby leaf, and have the older leaves wrinkled.
I kept all 3 under growing lights, together with my other plants ( a few other phals still in bloom, a a cyclamen and a an Anthurium. ).
So what am I doing wrong?
Why aren't they making any roots? I will not try the sphag and bag method, since it killed my other rescues, but what should I do? I even tried some root stimulator (Wilson brand), and still nothing.
Also, when should I plant the mini that has those two tiny tiny roots coming?
thanks you.

[Paphluvr]

Can you tell us more about your growing conditions?
What sort of potting mix, temperature, humidity, watering frequency, light levels, etc.

[Dimples]

Plants grow what they think is best, whenever they think it’s best. Sounds like your plants have decided to focus on growing a new leaf. That’s great. Leaves are where plants make energy, energy fuels growth. I wouldn’t be surprised if the old leaves start to slowly yellow and fall off. That happens when the plant is recycling nutrients from the old leaves to support new growth. It can look scary, but it’s a good sign.

So long as you keep giving them conditions they like, they sound strong enough to recover. Don’t be surprised if the new leaves are a lot smaller. They suffered a setback, but with good care, they’ll regain their full size eventually.

[estación seca]

Whatever roots remain are adequate for now. The plant will make new roots as soon as it needs them, which will probably be quite soon.

Most trouble with the sphag & bag method comes from keeping the moss too wet. It should be so barely damp you can just tell it isn't crisp dry. The aim is to keep the humidity up, not keep the roots moist.

[SADE2020]

Hi There,

In line with the other friend comments;

1. Leaf growth first: Orchids may prioritize leaves over roots because leaves help with photosynthesis, which gives energy for root growth later.

2. Environmental factors: Good light or conditions may push the plant to grow leaves first before focusing on roots.

3. Survival mode: After stress (like repotting), the plant may focus on leaves to get more light before growing roots.

4. Bad conditions: If the roots aren’t happy (like too much water or bad soil), the plant might hold off on root growth.

I am convinced the Option 3 always win:

Orchids are true survival strategists. They've developed an incredible ability to adapt to all kinds of environments, from humid jungles to mountain areas. The way they grow—whether focusing first on leaves, roots, or flowers—depends entirely on what they need to survive at the moment.

These plants have evolved to make the most of the resources around them, finding light, water, and nutrients in very clever ways. Whether by clinging to a tree in the jungle or adjusting their growth based on conditions, they're always tweaking their strategy to stay alive and thrive. They're real fighters in the plant world.

[Leobaby]

Thank you, everyone!
Maybe I should move them away from the growing light? I saw somewhere a post saying that the growing light stimulates leaf growth and formation, and if I want roots, they should not have too much light, just enough to photosynthesize ....

[estación seca]

High light will not help at this point. Healthy Phals. do best with around 1,000 foot candles of light, which is full shade; a recovering Phal. should probably have less than this. If you know the output of your light fixture and it's in other units you could convert to footcandles.

[Leobaby]

Hello everyone,
I am happy to report that after waiting from August to mid November, another one of my rescues popped one tiny root! Finally! and it seems that another will come soon, there's a bump there.
Now, how big do these new tiny roots have to be before I actually pot the plant? Now it's standing suspended above a glass full of moist moss.

[Waterdog111]

Haste makes waste! If what you have so far has helped let it continue and the plant will let you know when it has other needs. All the previous advice has been spot on. Dont forget that a lot of people mount these with no media!

[Dimples]

I like to get rescue phals into a pot of medium bark as soon as I start to see the beginning of “robust” recovery-growth. Sounds like yours are almost at that point. I’m too clumsy to have wobbly plants, so I pot them deeper than usual. Nothing extreme, but nestled down so the bark helps support and stabilize the plant as new roots grow.

If you pot a phal like this, make sure to keep the top of bark dry-dry. Once you see decent root growth in the pot, remove the extra support-bark so it’s not touching the stem or leaves.

A seedling heating mat will really help speed root growth, a LOT! Good job so far, and good luck!