phal roots

[VickiC]

Hi Sandy,
Thank you for your advice!

Shortly after I finished repotting my orchid tonight, I sat down here and saw your reply. Even though this is "after the fact", I wanted you to know what I did: I rinsed the roots this afternoon then trimmed as much of the bad areas as I could. I didn't remove any of the roots, so all of them stayed intact, as well as were still connected to the stem. I then treated the areas that I trimmed with cinnamon, but decided later to do a Physan 20 soak, as well (I hope I didn't do the wrong thing by treating with both ??). Later, I potted the plant in a bark, charcoal, perlite and sphag mixture that I had already presoaked. I decided to leave the keiki on until it gets a little farther along....I will feel better about removing it when there are more roots.

I had already planned a re-order to First Rays for more KLN (I'm totally out) plus some other things I need to replenish. Since you say you like ST best, I may order that, as well. When I receive my order, I'll water as you advise.

Thanks for the encouragement.....I hope my phal does as well as yours have that were in a similar condition.

Vicki

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

I would repot this plant in a medium that isn't as fast drying as bark or add either CHC or sphagnum and tree fern to the mix (or all 3). Of course you want this to (almost) dry before watering again but preventing it from drying out, at this stage, is what I would pay close attention to. A Phal in this condition will be less forgiving than one with lots of roots. if it stays dry too long. Don't cut the roots off. A 20 minute soak in KLN or SuperThrive (I like ST best) before potting and a weekly dose of either of these with each watering for at least a month. I've potted Phals that were in this condition and they survived and went on to bloom just fine.

Don't remove the kieki just yet. Wait till there are at least 3 roots, at least 2 inches long before removing.

Please update and let's hear what you decided. Best of luck!

[BikerDoc5968]

Vicki, be careful with your watering because you've mixed sphag with bark and the sphag will stay wet much longer than your bark..... also you might want to check around at some garden centers for SuperThrive or Hormex. Hormex is almost exactly the same as KLN but cheaper. I also believe one of the Big Box Stores (Blue or Orange) sell SuperThrive.

[VickiC]

Hi Howard,
I only put a small amount of sphag in my mix.....just enough to hold a tad of moisture. I'll be careful, though.....thanks.

As for Super Thrive, KLN or Hormex.....garden centers are close to non-existent in my area......and the ones that are around do not sell orchids or orchid supplies. The only local "nursery" where I bought my sick phal yesterday has a few things...very few...probably none of the above that I'm looking for, but I'll check.....won't hurt, might help. We have two Big Box stores around here.....Walmart and Lowes.....no Home Depot.

Sad, isn't it.....but I live in Alabama, you know.....and not a "metropolitan city" at that.

Actually, I need to go to Lowes sometime anyway because I have a bone to pick with the plant manager. The last two times I've checked, they didn't have Better-Gro sphag and a couple of other things that I usually get there. Not good.

Sorry for the long post, but I must have overdosed on caffeine in my cappuccino at breakfast this morn.

Thanks again for your help,
Vicki

Originally Posted by BikerDoc5968

Vicki, be careful with your watering because you've mixed sphag with bark and the sphag will stay wet much longer than your bark..... also you might want to check around at some garden centers for SuperThrive or Hormex. Hormex is almost exactly the same as KLN but cheaper. I also believe one of the Big Box Stores (Blue or Orange) sell SuperThrive.

[Becca]

Vicki, another place to look for items such as KLN or or Hormex is a hydroponics store. I just discovered my local hyroponics store about a month ago. Superthrive should be available at places such as Lowes or HomeDepot, or even an one stop shopping center like Walmart. I personally prefer KLN over Superthrive. I have never tried Hormex but I know that others in my local orchid society use it and really like it. Hope this helps some!

[BikerDoc5968]

Vicki, Becca is right on....I guess I didn't have enough caffine today but now that I think back, I purchased Hormex at my local hydroponics store. Cost about $15.00 for a 16oz container and it is "about" twice as concentrated as KLN and the same 3 active ingredients.

[Becca]

Originally Posted by BikerDoc5968

Vicki, Becca is right on....I guess I didn't have enough caffine today but now that I think back, I purchased Hormex at my local hydroponics store. Cost about $15.00 for a 16oz container and it is "about" twice as concentrated as KLN and the same 3 active ingredients.

Hey I just learned something new, thanks Doc! I didn't know that KLN and Hormex had the same ingredients. I can by the Hormex locally which makes me very happy!

[BikerDoc5968]

This is the MSDS sheet for KLN made by Dyna-Grow

Mono-Ammonium Phosphate NH4H2PO4 <1%
Mono-Potassium Phosphate KH2PO4 <1%
Ammonium Nitrate NH4NO3 <1%
Potassium Nitrate KNO3 <1%
1-Naphthalene acetic Acid C10H7CH2COOH <0.11%
3-Indole Butyric Acid C12H13NO2 <0.06%
Thiamine Mononitrate C12H17N5O4S <0.03%

This is the lable for Hormex
1-NAA .24%
3-IBA .013%
Thiamine .25%

The lable doesn't list any trace elements or other fertilizer type componets.

[VickiC]

Hi Becca!
I don't know of a hydroponics store locally.....wish I did! I even looked through the phone book after I read your reply a few mins. ago. This morn. I checked Lowes, Walmart, and the "nursery" where I bought my sick orchid yesterday...no KLN, ST or Hormex to be found, so it looks like I'll be ordering online.

As I mentioned in my last post to everyone, thanks again for helping me treat and repot my phal yesterday. I just wanted to thank you personally. I always appreciate your advice.

Vicki

Originally Posted by Becca

Vicki, another place to look for items such as KLN or or Hormex is a hydroponics store. I just discovered my local hyroponics store about a month ago. Superthrive should be available at places such as Lowes or HomeDepot, or even an one stop shopping center like Walmart. I personally prefer KLN over Superthrive. I have never tried Hormex but I know that others in my local orchid society use it and really like it. Hope this helps some!