Need help with phal sphag-n-bag attempt

[sheiman]

I have a phal that's been in pretty bad shape for a few months now, so I decided to try the sphag-n-bag technique for the first time. I used the instructions at First Ray's. I didn't use rooting hormone before I bagged the plant because I don't have any. There were 2 really sad-looking roots and 3 leaves when I started the sphag-n-bag.

The first pic below is before I placed the orchid into the bag, and the second pic is 5 days after I placed it in the bag.

As you can see, one of the leaves is turning yellow. I've been keeping the bag in a warm, shady place as suggested. Is it ok to open the bag up and moisten the sphagnum again? It looks like it's pretty dry already. Maybe this plant is just a goner but I figured I'd at least give it a shot.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Remove it from sphag and bag right away.

This guy didn't need the sphag and bag treatment. It could've bounced right back with proper mounted culture techniques. Especially when spring and summer are rolling around the corner.

[sheiman]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Remove it from sphag and bag right away.

This guy didn't need the sphag and bag treatment. It could've bounced right back with proper mounted culture techniques. Especially when spring and summer are rolling around the corner.

Really - what sort of mounted culture techniques? I don't know anything about them. Would I be able to plant it back in a pot?

[Ray]

I would agree with King that the plant didn't really need sphag-n-bag, but I can't say with such conviction that mounting is the way to go.

1) sphag-n-bag is a technique for rescuing plants that have no roots. Looks like there are 2 really good ones on that plant.

2) The wrinkly, limp leaves, however, tell me the thing simply isn't getting the water it needs.

I'd suggest potting it up in an open mix - one that provides lots of air flow to the root system - but one that holds moisture pretty well.

[sheiman]

Originally Posted by Ray

I would agree with King that the plant didn't really need sphag-n-bag, but I can't say with such conviction that mounting is the way to go.

1) sphag-n-bag is a technique for rescuing plants that have no roots. Looks like there are 2 really good ones on that plant.

2) The wrinkly, limp leaves, however, tell me the thing simply isn't getting the water it needs.

I'd suggest potting it up in an open mix - one that provides lots of air flow to the root system - but one that holds moisture pretty well.

Sounds like good advice, I'm going to repot it but in a smaller pot than before since the root system is so wimpy right now. Think its earlier pot may have been too big for the roots. Hopefully that will do the trick. Thanks!