Help/miniature orchid-rotten roots

[Danie]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Any kind of wood that doesn't smell like it came from the medicine cabinet would do (strong odors on a wood could have biochemical whatevers in them - not good).

No glue is necessary. Just put a little bit of wet sphagnum moss on the roots allowing some parts of the roots to be exposed and other parts covered by the moss. Then tie onto the mount with some fishing line or twisty wire.

If you need more help, there're people in the "Mounting" section of this forum who can help you.

In the meantime I can give you visuals of what a mounted Phal will look like on the mount. Pay particular attention to the way the leaves droop downwards because that's how you should position the plant.

Here're some pics of my Phals. Phalaenopsis modesta var. coerulea is the one with the paddle shaped leaves. The other is Phal. appendiculata (notice the fishing line I used to tie the plant onto the mount with in the background). Phal appendiculata is a miniature Phalaenopsis species and is currently the smallest known species in the genus Phalaenopsis (smaller than Phal gibbosa, Phal lobbii, or Phal parishii).

WOW...Great information!
I need to get some moss tomorrow and I should have some fishing line around. I'll check the "mounting" forum. Thank you so much. I am very excited!

[K.Veren]

I have the same problem with my mini-phal; it's in moss and most of its roots look rotten. Is mounting definitely the way to go? (also very new at this)

[learning2letgo]

Mounting is a great technique and I would highly recommend to anyone who's adventurous enough to give it a try! However, I'm not sure if I could do it... LOL...

If you're leary of doing this, try putting it in water for a few days to weeks to rehydrate the roots thorougly (and it often helps instigate new root growth), then repot in another medium other than the sphagnum it came in. Take your pick, but have fun! Remember, orchid growing should be a fun hobby, not a chore

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Mounting a Phalaenopsis isn't the ONLY way to grow them. It's just an option. In my opinion, for Phalaenopsis it is often one of the better options for long term success. As far as a plant recovering from damaged roots - it's a crapshoot, but mounting them doesn't hurt them any either. If they've even got one or two good roots, it's still got a fighting chance.

[learning2letgo]

I agree with King... Most people tend to overwater the phals which instigate root rot... Mounting these beauties prevents that all the way around

[K.Veren]

HEY EVERYONE! THANK YOU!

I took your advice and mounted my mini-phal as best I could and it seems to be making a recovery! the blooms stopped dying almost immediately and now I have a new (if small) bloom!
thankyouthankyouthankyou!

here's a picture of my happy plant (PS: it doesn't actually live on my bed but my cellphone camera couldn't focus on it where it was)