repotting a very unhappy phal

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Grow indoors. Temperatures should never be below 60 F.

Repot smaller.

Medium grade to large grade bark.

Don't worry about whether the repotting stresses it out. Phals adjust slowly anyways.

It's salvageable.

Philip is right on on this. The only comment I would modify would be to stay on the medium size for bark and I also add a course grade of perlite to my mix.

I also would add that I hope the plant is not sitting in water in that outer container.

CL

[greenpassion]

Well, not that I'm an expert in any way, but through reading all the responses here, I have to jump in and advocate for S/H. I am new to orchids as well, and am in way over my head, but, due to a member here who is all about S/H, things are so much better, cleaner, and healthier. I have all my orchids in S/H now. I too had a phal that was given to me, full of rotten roots, and had to literally cut all of them away, leaving only one small root. I use clear glass vases or jars, (what ever is attractive to me) and I drill a 1/4" hole about half way up the container. This serves to hold nutrient rich water (always us RO water) and it also aids in the required humidity levels. I learned all this from "First Rays". Anyway, I got the hydroton pellets (this instead of any kind of bark which is not only messy, but will rot, and can also be a nice cozy environment for bugs) and put the phal into that, using a rooting hormone to boost the growth of new roots. I have to say, this phal is happy. I can see the bright green root tips inside the glass, and it's putting out air roots, and new leaves. I grow mine indoors, under natural light LED track lighting, in my living room. Hope this wasn't too much. Probably was, but I hope it helps.:good luck:

[james mickelso]

Hi Dor. I know where you live and it is a good place to grow phals. First off, the pics of your root cutting are helpful. You did a good job. Cut the flower spike off down to the leaf. It will die back anyway. The leaves are very desicated and so that is your biggest challenge. Not to worry. Leave the plant potted in whatever you have it in. Get a gallon plastic ziplock bag and put the plant, pot and all, inside the bag and close it. Once a week, take it out and run water through the pot. I would use bottled water myself. Let it dry for the rest of the day, then put it back in the bag. You don't need to close the zip just loosely close it. This will keep the humidity up and help the plant revive. I actually don't always pot my phal rescues but just put them in the bag with a little spagnum moss and close it up, put it in a warm sunny place and leave it alone. It will take time but it will grow a new leaf and when it does, then take it out of the bag and put it in a warm bright, but not sunny, place. I have friends who live by you and they grow orchids. Your summer humidity is around 50% and it gets warm. Go light on the water once you get it going until you have a good size leaf then increase as needed. Here is the bag trick. Or this way.