Phal with rotting roots - Help!

[rose07]

Hello,

This is my first Phal. I've had it for about a month or so, it had 6-8 blooms that have all died and fallen within the last week (all at once), which is what made me look at the roots. It was potted with moss and I noticed it was taking too long to dry from the last time I watered it. I water every 7-10 days or so - checking on wetness/dryness. Potted on clear plastic container, with enough holes. Thinking about repotting it with bark instead?
I took a look at it today and found that some of the roots where rotting. Proceeded to clean out all the moss and cut some of the roots that were dead. Rinsed it to get medium off. As you can see the main base of the plant is black. Should I cut it off too? There are some roots higher up that might make it if I cut the base. Is it better to do the cinnamon thing? or both?

You can also see there's a new spike growing on the bottom. It was growing faster a couple weeks ago, but doesn't look like it's dying.

Thanks for the advice.

p.s. took the pics right after rinsing it...that's why it looks wet.

[mattryan]

Hi rose..I'm pretty new here so some peeps with more experience can give you more info. The roots aren't terrible i blelieve you can soak them with in peroxide to stop the black spots from spreading. Bark is better than moss it dries faster. Also using a bamboo skewer in the medium can help you for deciding when to water. That thing with the green tip is a new root, the one on the other side i can't tell what it is. Blooms sometimes drop because of moving the plant to a new area..It is better to save the plant than the flowers. I think that you did alot right..hopefully someone else will chime in and help you further goodluck!

[mattryan]

OOps sorry i forgot to add only put cinnamon on the ends of the cut roots not all over them..they dry the roots out.

[goofy]

Hi,

I had a similar case as yours, but mine had worse root rot. I rinsed it with hydrogen peroxide and repot it in bark. I kept it in the shade for a while and kept it somewhat dry. I sprayed it a little when it was too dry until some sign of new roots are coming. I think yours does not look too bad. The "spikes" at the bottom of your phal look like roots to me.
I am not an expert. Somebody else will give you more advice.
Thuy

[mab3362]

I agree. looks like a new root not a spike

[rose07]

Thanks everybody. I'll do the peroxide and repot it in bark, we'll see what happens.
And thanks for telling me that's a new root (not a spike), it kind of gives me hope.
Thanks again!

[RosieC]

I agree with the above.

Don't cut the base off, I made the mistake of doing that once in a worse case than yours and it really set back the recovery of the plant.

[frostedeyes]

roots too wet! wet wet wet!!! dry for a week
well i dunno what you're going to do next.. if u have a tree there... mount them. and its problem free..

[RosieC]

I'm not certain about the week thing, the length of time depends on your enviroment. I would dry them until they look grey/silver and are just starting to wrinkle.

I do think that drying roots that have been too wet is a very good idea. I always do it, leave them out the medium until you are happy they are dry.

[Call_Me_Bob]

if your in the usa, and not in a tropical zone like florida or california or somewhere where your orchid could live outside year round, thats fine. but if you somewhere like ny than they can be outside year round.