Rescued Phal

[Mothra79]

My mother-in-law recieved a phal for Mother's Day a couple of weeks ago. When I saw it in her window yesterday, it was in pretty sorry shape. It looks like she's been overwatering it. It was in a plastic pot, and that pot was a very poor draining decorative pot. There was standing water in the decorative pot.
I'm planning on repotting it and cutting off the roots that are sure to be suffering from root rot. I'm wondering if there's anything else I can do to ensure its survival? Cut off the flower spike maybe? Thanks in advance!

[quiltergal]

Definitely repot ASAP. The roots I can see don't look too bad. They're still green instead of black so that's good. It's definitely too wet. I wouldn't cut the spike off until you can evaluate the root system.

[Becca]

I agree with Terri! The roots look ok from what we can see through the pot and I think the plant looks healthy! It is normal for the blooms to wilt and fall off after a while, is that the part you are referring to as "looking in pretty sorry shape"?

[flhiker]

If the bark is broken down I would repot now, but if not I would just leave it alone (because the roots do look good) and cut back on the watering. This is just my opinion but if the plant is stressed (looks like the flowers are dropping) and you move the roots around by repotting this will make the plant take longer to recover. By just allowing the plant to dry out I think it will be less stressed and bounce back quicker (may save the remaining buds). I did say as long as the medium is not broken down. Right JMO

[Mothra79]

I couldn't capture it with the camera, because it was too dark and blended in with the soil, but there is one root that is completely black and rotted. That is what I meant by "in sorry shape." Would you still recommend to just let it dry out?

[flhiker]

I still would leave it alone. And keep a eye on it.

[Mothra79]

Okay! I have to admit, I have a really hard time just leaving well enough alone. My fingers are itching to repot. But I think I will give it time to dry out first, maybe even wait until it's down flowering, and take it from there. Wish us luck!

[(..._...)]

Hmm.. I recieved a phal as a gift that was in pretty broken down bark chips. Luckily, it was in a clear pot, so I could see the roots. It takes it about a week and a half to two weeks in between waterings... so it needs repotting!!! -- but as long as I watered it correctly, my phals roots seem okay. I plan on re-potting it soon though!!

good luck with yours!

[flhiker]