Rescued and repotted 2 phals, questions re roots

[kitkat]

Hello fellow orchid lovers, this is my first post. I rescued 2 phals from a friend the other day and repotted both and discovered that neither had any long fat healthy roots. They both had 2 small, as in 1/2 inch long roots at the base of the leaves but the ones that were in the medium were gone, down to the wire, literally. Interestingly enough they both have really long floppy leaves and they appear to be healthy and green. I took off all the dead roots and repotted into good medium. So to my questions, why the long floppy leaves? And, why absolutely no roots to speak of? And, do they stand a chance?

I should say, that my phals which I have owned for about 6 years now, have pots full of huge fat roots and so I have never experienced the above phenomenon. Thank you in advance. Kat

[WhiteRabbit]

The plants were likely over or under-watered. If there are some roots - even a couple tiny ones, the plants may recover. Sounds like you have success growing Phals, so you stand a decent chance with them (unlike myself lol)

[barkingsquirrell]

kitkat - I think you have a good chance of saving them since they do have some roots left. I have saved countless Phals (sounds like) in the same condition as the ones you have. My first suggestion would be to re-pot. Of all my rescues they've all seemed to really appreciate new growing medium and have responded well, as in new leaves very quickly.

Good luck and if you do happen to lose one it just opens up a spot for a new healthy one.

[kitkat]

Thank you so much for responding so quickly. I'm used to the garden web where folks take a week or so to respond. Hopefully, these babies will pull through, I play them lots of music and the others seem to enjoy it, so fingers crossed. Thanks again.

[johnblagg]

yep with lage leaves even floppy and a couple of roots they will make it most likley.

I would keep humidity up and a little cooler and les light for a bit to let them firm up leaves....the floppy leaves is the phals version of wilt....due not enough roots.probably over watering was the cause of the root loss.

[Rosiefuture]

Phals seem to be amazingly tough little cookies. I was given 4 phals by my grown up kids for Mothers Day a couple of weeks ago. I decided to repot them and it's a good job I did. All the roots below the surface were rotten and dead, the leaves were also a bit soft. Even in this short space of time they have started to pick up. The leaves are firm again and there are signs of new root growth. So I think you will find your new rescues will be bursting with health very soon.

PS What music do you play them????

Marion