HELP! I have no idea what to do!

[AlternaPrincess]

Hello everyone!

I have had my phal orchid for about 5 months now and the last blossom just fell off a few days ago. Now I'm unsure what to do with it. I've read that I'm supposed to trim off the whole stem, or just above the last node. I trimmed off a few roots that had died (they weren't attached to the dirt - I'm not sure what it's planted in actually - they were just hanging out of the pot). The spike looks like it still has a few new nodes on it further down, but do I trim them off anyway? Do the nodes get a light brown skin above them when they're dead? I also think that the two lower leaves are dying, so I was wondering what I should do about them. I've also never fertilized it. Which fertilizer is the best? I really hope I haven't killed it - my best friend gave it to me for Valentine's Day and I'd be devastated if it died

I added some pictures of the nodes, leaves, and of a little piece of the spike that I trimmed off. I don't know if they'll help, but I need all the advice I can get!

[priz_m]

Hi AlternaPrincess, welcome to the OB!

- With phals, trimming the stem is optional, but since you did, I hope you sealed the cut with powered cinnamon to prevent infection.

- Phals usually come potted in sphagnum moss or bark, yours is potted in sphag that usually comes packed too tight therefore holds too much water. So when you water make sure you give it enough time to dry out almost entirely

- The bottom leaves are the first to fall off, usually because there's another growing, if this is not the case, I recommend, repotting your phal so you can take a look at the root system, you may visit Easy Orchids - Re Potting A Phalaenopsis for full instuctions

- Another good thing to watch out for is water getting in between the leaves. If this happens and goes unnoticed it could rot the leaves causing what is known as root rot.

- On cutting the roots, if they're plum and turn green when wet, they're not dead, they'd have to be hollow and/or dry and brittle to be cut back.

I hope this helped somewhat to ensure the healthy life of your gifted phal.

[AlternaPrincess]

I just trimmed it today, and I did the cinnamon thing The roots that I trimmed off were dry and white. I didn't take off the whole root, just the section that looked unhealthy. The remaining piece of the roots I trimmed is till green. Should I trim off the leaves now, or wait and see what they do?

Thank you for the prompt response, by the way. I've been in somewhat of a panic mode ever since I took a look at my plant this morning, and I feel much better now.

[priz_m]

try to seal the roots with a bit of cinnamon as well, for the same reasons.

Don't worry about the leaves, they'll fall off on their own when it's time

Don't panic, your phal looks fine in the pictures, just try to avoid overwatering it.

It'll be fine

[AlternaPrincess]

If I do overwater it, is there anything I can do for it? Is there a way to drain out or soak up excess water?

Thanks again

[priz_m]

what I do with my orchids is switch from an all sphag medium to a sphag-bark-LECA (or packing peanuts) mix to keep it moist and airy for the roots, I water them once a week (or up to 10 days) when there's no visible moisture in the pot (i use clear plastic ones) I soak them for 30 min and then let them drain for an hour before putting them back in their decorative pots.

This is something you will learn by experience only, I lost 3 phals myself.

If you're unsure of when to water you can use a toothpick or wood skewer, insert it in the pot and if it comes out moist, don't water yet.

Overwatering an orchid results most of the times in root rot you can tell yours suffers from them when the leaves get limp and wrinkly, this is because the roots are rotten and are unable to absorb moisture for the plant. In this case, depending on the damage, you'd have to unpot, cut back dead roots, sanitize with H2O2 and repot if there are viable roots left or sphag and bag. Hopefully you won't be in that scenario anytime soon, and should you be, that's what the OB's for

[kiki-do]

Just an FYI....The roots love to climb out into the air. It's not a bad thing, that is just what orchid roots love to do.
General rule of thumb.... black and mushy roots are bad. Green and white roots are good. Green means they have enough water, and white is how they get when they need to be watered (the ones down in the pot, that is). I see you have a plastic pot inside the clay pot so you can remove the plastic pot and see inside to tell how the roots are doing and when to water. Also, you can stick your finger way down in the moss and don't water unless it's dry way down and/or you see all white roots. Hope this helps along with everyone elses comments. You should do fine with your beautiful phal.

[RosieC]

As long as your pot has holes in the bottom (the inner pot) then you can give it lots of water when you water it, then let it drain well. Make sure it is not left standing in water and make sure the moss is dries out way down inside and that the roots are silvery before you water next time.

[AlternaPrincess]

I haven't watered it since last week and it still hasn't quite dried out yet, so I'll wait a little longer. However, the end where I trimmed it has shriveled up and turned brown and hard, and the section of stem after it is a yellow-green color, not healthy green like the rest of the stem. Am I supposed to leave it like that, trim off the brown part, or trim off the rest of the stem down to where the new node is? There are about 4 old nodes left on the stem that used to have flowers on them and then a new one.

[kiki-do]

Originally Posted by AlternaPrincess

I haven't watered it since last week and it still hasn't quite dried out yet, so I'll wait a little longer. However, the end where I trimmed it has shriveled up and turned brown and hard, and the section of stem after it is a yellow-green color, not healthy green like the rest of the stem. Am I supposed to leave it like that, trim off the brown part, or trim off the rest of the stem down to where the new node is? There are about 4 old nodes left on the stem that used to have flowers on them and then a new one.

You may trim off the brown stem. You can cut way down or cut at the top of the second node. Some cut at the top of the second node so a new growth could start. I usually cut all the way down as I like my phals to rest a bit. Whereever you cut it, put a dab of cinnamon on the cut area. Usually when the stem turns color and dries out, it's pretty wasted and won't grow anything from it.