Newbie trying to save Phal ... - Page 2 - Orchid Board

bodaciousbonsai · #11 02-02-2009, 03:42 PM

with all those new roots just starting I would use the sphag and bag method. I have had phalaenopsis that have lost all the roots and shot otu more from the rhizome just as yours is doing. I used the spag and bag till the roots reached three to four inches in length then repot in a desireable mix.

RosieC · #12 02-02-2009, 04:33 PM

You've already got a lot of good advice which I can't really add to. But I will share my experience in case it helps. I have a phal with just two roots and a similar number of leaves.

The two roots left on mine were arial roots like yours. I got no luck with Spag 'n' Bag and gave up and just potted it up into well soaked bark. I put the arial roots just under the surface and was careful to make sure they still got plenty of air so that they could slowly adapt.

Current status is that it has stayed about stable but not growing (and also not dying) since I potted it up a couple of months ago. I'm hoping to keep it alive until the weather gets warmer when it may start growing again (I hope).

Anyway, I think that with the couple of roots you have in the picture I would pot it up with those just under the surface. I favour bark personally and if you have previously had a problem with overwatering this may be the best. Some people favour moss but it depends on your watering habits and your enviroment.

katesgrey · #13 02-03-2009, 02:29 AM

Selyne, I am in the very same boat, I have a little phal that I'm trying really hard to save, I bought it from Home Depot and it had bad fungus on pretty much all the roots, most of which I cut off and the rest of which have since died. The leaves began wrinkling, which I learned here meant it wasn't able to absorb enough water without most of its roots, so I have done a weird sort of "sphag n' bag" thing. I can't tell if its working or not, pretty much no change. I hope you find a way to save it, if so maybe you can post on here to let others know who are struggling with the same thing. Thanks!

katesgrey · #14 02-03-2009, 03:02 AM

Oh, one more thing. I live in a pretty arid region, in Colorado. I don't know where you live, but if its a drier region, I think it makes it even more challenging to figure out how to heal a sick orchid.

I did have my sick phal in a bark mix, but since it only has one aerial root and no other roots now, I simply couldn't mist enough to keep it from dehydrating. I am assuming this because the leaves continued to wrinkle even after I really stepped up my watering and misting. This was why a couple weeks ago I put some sphagnum round the base, and put him (in his pot) in a plastic bag "tent" that is partially open at the base. Treated with SuperThrive, which made my Oncidium sprout roots and new bulbs like crazy.

I am anxiously awaiting responses, hopefully I won't end up posting my own Thread and pics... So far the answers from knowledgeable people have vastly helped and I haven't needed to.