How do I save my dried out Phal

[Lene Th.]

I use cinnamon to close the wound after a cut.
Sorry you have to sacrifice the spike, but i agree it gives you plant a better chance to recover.

[priz_m]

Hello Rosie, looks like the guys got you covered.

Yes you can seal the spike with wax or cinnamon to prevent rot.

I really wish the best for your phal, I am a phal lover myself and I can tell you that is always so much better to get it to recover from underwatering than overwattering.

We look forward to its recovery

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Lene Th.

I use cinnamon to close the wound after a cut.
Sorry you have to sacrifice the spike, but i agree it gives you plant a better chance to recover.

OK, I've got that on the shelf so I'll do that.

[RosieC]

Thanks everyone for your encoragement. I've set up a humidity tray and I'm going to remove the spike tomorrow when I'm more awake.

Thanks Again
Rosie

[jkofferdahl]

Others have given good suggestions, but I'll toss in my own - which probably was already mentioned.

Sometimes after a repotting a Phal can lose a leaf or two. It's not a concern, especially if the plant is growing a new leaf. The wrinkles leaves are a certain sign of lack of water, whether from the new potting medium drying out or from the mentioned root damage. More than likely, though, it is the medium. New bark doesn't hold water at all well, and so requires more frequent watering.

If the leaves are still wrinkled, I would advise getting a bowl slightly deeper than the pot, put the plant and pot into the bowl, then fill it with water. Allow it to soak for 30 minutes to an hour. I would also clip the new spike (you can seal the cut with cinnamon so that fungi or other nasties won't get it) so that the plant can focus on leaf growth. A flower stem is, essentially, a specialized leaf growth, and will take the focus from a stressed plant away from real leaves. I think if you allow it to miss this bloom it should give you plenty more.

Finally, set it in a place where it gets slightly less light than your other two Phals. Watch the potting medium closely to make sure it doesn't get too dry. My guess is that the plant will perk back up fairly quickly, and will be fine.

[RosieC]

Thanks Jkofferdahl,

When I first got home I soaked the pot as you suggest for about a two hours (and did the same for the other two as well which looked dry even though the plants were OK).

I clipped the spike this morning and sealled with cinnamon and it's now standing on a humidaty tray as suggested by others.

You said that it is usual to loose a leaf or two after repotting and the lowest two leaves which are now yellow were ones which I had been worried about since then.

The current status is that I have two and a half leaves which I think look healthy now (the half being a newish smaller leaf). There are then four wrinkled leaves, the upper of which is maybe improving but I'm not sure. Then the two yellowed ones which I had already thought I might loose after the repotting.

Should I remove the lowest two leaves which I have very little hope for?
If so how do I go about that?

[Ray]

Give them a slight tug. If the come off, throw them away. If they don't, just wait. Chances are you'll get up one morning and they'll be on the table or floor.

[JennS]

Ray is right...just see if they are loose and give them a little tug. You can put a little cinnamon in that area too just in case. I have never seen yellow leaves "come back" and get green again or perk up. I think at that point they are gone, but just haven't quite let go of the plant. Anyway, I wouldn't push it, the plant will let go when it's ready. Good luck!

[RosieC]

Ok, I'll wait till they come away easily. Thanks again for the advice.

[phalaephila]

Greetings:

If you decide to mist the leaves, please be very careful to remove any standing water from the crown and the leaf axils. Crown rot is a very real threat to phals.

Best wished for phal recovery!

jeanne