found the link, so on with my question..

[VickiC]

Hi,
I found the link I was looking for (the question in my last last post), so on with my Orchid question: I have a plant that hasn't been looking so good, so I decided to unpot it and check out the roots, and when I did...I thought "WHAT roots?!" So, needless to say..I decided to spagh n bag it (sp?). My first problem is that it is still in bloom and I don't know whether I should trim the spike/remove it, since it is. Secondly, the plant is too tall to fit in a gallon kitchen storage bag...and it CERTAINLY would be too tall for the bag if I left the spike/blooms on it. If you don' mind, I would appreciate any help you can give me (preferably without me having to make a trip to the grocery store to buy another type/size bag. lol JUST KIDDING! Whatever it takes). I have my Orchid soaking now, so the next step will be to bag it in about 45 mins.
Thanks,
Vicki

[caseydoll]

You should definitely cut that spike off. I know it's sad but it will help the phal focus it's energy on growing some roots. Put the cut spike in a vase of water and enjoy them as cut flowers. As for the ziplock, I usually use the big ziplock storage bags. The type with the handles for storing items, not food. You want to make sure the leaves aren't touching the sides too much. Maybe you could use 2 bags and just invert the 2nd bag upside down over the first. You don't want the bag too be to airtight anyways. Otherwise mold or fungus will sprout out. Hopefully that helps a bit and I'm sure more knowledgeable folks will chime in!

[VickiC]

Hi,
Thanks a bunch for your help. Here's what I did: 1st of all, I cut off the spike, as you suggested. I also did as you suggested and put the flowers in water to enjoy. Next, I found a clear zip plastic bag that a quilt I bought one time came in..and used it. I felt like the zipper would release too much air, so I put some tape on it. I think the leaves are touching the sides too much, though, as you said they shouldn't, but that's all I could do at the time because Walmart didn't have the bags like you mentioned...either they were out, I was looking in the wrong place, or they may simply not carry them. ?? Actually, I don't feel too good about the whole thing...I wish I could have put it together better...but I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that it proves me wrong. Yes, indeed, you did help me...so thanks. I'll know more next time I find a plant with no roots...and trust me, I'm afraid I will.
By the way, you think it is a Phal? That answers my question. I bought it awhile back and it was a noid, so I had no idea what is was nor did the lady at the greenhouse (duh lol) I asked around the forum at the time and I got suggestions that it may be, as you said, a Phal of some sort, or else in the Vanda alliance.
Thanks again,
Vicki

Originally Posted by caseydoll

You should definitely cut that spike off. I know it's sad but it will help the phal focus it's energy on growing some roots. Put the cut spike in a vase of water and enjoy them as cut flowers. As for the ziplock, I usually use the big ziplock storage bags. The type with the handles for storing items, not food. You want to make sure the leaves aren't touching the sides too much. Maybe you could use 2 bags and just invert the 2nd bag upside down over the first. You don't want the bag too be to airtight anyways. Otherwise mold or fungus will sprout out. Hopefully that helps a bit and I'm sure more knowledgeable folks will chime in!

[VickiC]

Oops...I forgot something in my last post to you: I forgot the picture I took of the bag and plant. So, here it is, but it's not good at all cuz of the condensation in the bag. Nevertheless, I just wanted you to see what I came up with.
Vicki

Originally Posted by caseydoll

You should definitely cut that spike off. I know it's sad but it will help the phal focus it's energy on growing some roots. Put the cut spike in a vase of water and enjoy them as cut flowers. As for the ziplock, I usually use the big ziplock storage bags. The type with the handles for storing items, not food. You want to make sure the leaves aren't touching the sides too much. Maybe you could use 2 bags and just invert the 2nd bag upside down over the first. You don't want the bag too be to airtight anyways. Otherwise mold or fungus will sprout out. Hopefully that helps a bit and I'm sure more knowledgeable folks will chime in!

[Ross]

You should be fine Vicki. Don't try to seal the bag too tightly as Sarah says. I think I agree with the diagnosis that it's a Phal (can't tell for certain from the photo.) Please don't make the mistake of thinking you need to keep the plant wet or even moist. The idea with this process is to elevate the humidity. I regularly place all sorts of cuttings into my orchidarium at 90+% humidity for a few weeks to facilitate the rooting. Like Begonias, etc. So humidity is what you are after. The plant itself should never be wet or in contact with wet materials, like moss. I sometimes recommend wet paper towels be placed in same bag, but not in contact with plant parts. This serves same function as sphagnum. A cleaners bag would work, since thickness of plastic is a non-issue here. Prop up the sides with flower pots, or anything handy, to keep plastic away from leaves. Most important thing is keep out of the sun or even strong light. Hope this helps.

[caseydoll]

Hi Vicki! I did assume it was a phal because that is what it looked like to me at first glance. I looked back at your previous thread and now I'm not so sure because the flowers do remind be of a Vanda but the leaves seem wider like a phal. I'm sorry to have gotten your hopes up on a id but I can't say for certain what it is! It's really pretty though!

You had a great idea with that bag! I would of never thought of that but it's perfect. Don't worry about it not being airtight. Some people even leave the top half sealed for a little air exchange. I don't know if this will work or not but you could maybe take an empty pot and set the orchid in it to help keep it away from the wet sides. You could even position the leaves so they sit outside the pot. (does that make sense? ) Maybe use some flower stakes in the bag to push the sides away a little. The leaves touching the condensation may start some rot or fungus.

Otherwise everything looks great! Make sure you keep it in a nice warm and shady area and hopefully some roots will pop out soon! Don't lose patience though, I've heard of some people that have kept there orchid in a bag for over 2 months. Keep an eye out for any fungus growing. If you see any open the bag and air it out for a couple hours. The key is too catch it as soon as it happens. I learned this the hard way!



p.s. I was writing this as Ross posted his comments. I think I may have repeated some stuff he said but am too lazy to go back and delete. So just ignore some of it!

[VickiC]

I blew this one, Ross....but I'm not gonna give up: I thought I'd take a look this morn. to be sure the plant was looking ok, and it wasn't. Last night I thought there might be a lil too much condensation inside the bag....and I was right. The "stalk" (??) was mildewed! I took it out of the bag, rinsed it, applied more rooting hormone, then propped it up in a glass with about an inch of damp spag. in the bottom...the roots (or where they should be) not touching anything. Apparently, I had the bag sealed TOO tight or else the plant wouldn't have mildewed ?? Anyway, my timing was bad cuz I would have known not to bag it like that if I had read your post 1st. Oh well...."you live, you learn"

Thanks for the info....I'll know more next time.
Vicki

Originally Posted by Ross

You should be fine Vicki. Don't try to seal the bag too tightly as Sarah says. I think I agree with the diagnosis that it's a Phal (can't tell for certain from the photo.) Please don't make the mistake of thinking you need to keep the plant wet or even moist. The idea with this process is to elevate the humidity. I regularly place all sorts of cuttings into my orchidarium at 90+% humidity for a few weeks to facilitate the rooting. Like Begonias, etc. So humidity is what you are after. The plant itself should never be wet or in contact with wet materials, like moss. I sometimes recommend wet paper towels be placed in same bag, but not in contact with plant parts. This serves same function as sphagnum. A cleaners bag would work, since thickness of plastic is a non-issue here. Prop up the sides with flower pots, or anything handy, to keep plastic away from leaves. Most important thing is keep out of the sun or even strong light. Hope this helps.