Phal Recovery from Root rot

[IvyLam]

My Phal (in sphag medium) had droopy leaves one day and so I watered it. After checking online I decided to check the roots for root rot. I discovered that it had root rot and so I trimmed the dead roots. Only one root was good and there is one starting to grow. I repotted the phal in coarse bark. The leaves are not as droopy, but one of the bottom leaves has a little bit of yellowing. I cut back the flower shoots in order to help it save energy. I read on the web about the sphag and bag method and decided to do that. Right now my phal is in a zip lock with some moss. Should I cut off the yellowing leaf, or should i leave it be. Is there anything else I can do and is there anything I'm doing wrong? Thank you

[AaronM]

I don't know if sphag and bag is such a good idea with a plant trying to recover from root rot. If you want the plant to recover put it back in the bark mix in a wood slat basket (just big enough for the plant) hung from one pair of the rings so it hangs partly on its side. Give it water when it's dry and very diluted fertilizer once a week. Make sure it has good air flow and bright indirect light.
Don't cut the leaf off. It will fall off on its own soon enough. You may lose some others but that is it's way of saving water when it has few roots. It may skip a blooming season but be patient and it will recover.
Orchids are tough so relax and don't love it to death.

Good Luck!

AaronM

[Ray]

The concept behind "sphag-&-bag" is to maximize the humidity around the plant so it will not become desiccated while it grows the roots necessary for normal water uptake. The root system does not need - and some say should not - be in contact with the moss in the bag, as it's really just there to provide the moisture source.

Frankly, as your plant had a good root and was growing another, I doubt you needed to unpot it and go to the "s&b" treatment. If you pot it up again - make sure that bark is well-soaked before you use it (I pour boiling water on it, then let it cool before use) - you could just make a plastic bag "tent" over the plant to retain the humidity, if you think your local level is too low.

As to whether Aaron's basket suggestion is appropriate, that depends upon your overall conditions. For him in central FL, I'm sure it's fine, but if you grew on a windowsill in the north, for example, it might not be a very good idea.

[IvyLam]

Thank you guys so much. I will un spag and bag and place it in with the bark mix with a baggie on top.

[IvyLam]

The yellow leaf fell off, the leaves look healthy, but i checked to see if there was any mold, and there was. the mold was on on the little root, so I cut it. I spagged and bagged. I am so worried.

[MothLover]

You may want to invest in a Fungicide like physan. I hear it works wonders, I've never used it myself. I'm sure others will be able to tell you more about it.