So I have this excellent root system... - Orchid Board

Izzie · #1 08-20-2010, 06:42 PM

But no leaves.

My dear sweet noid phal has been struck by disaster. It lost several leaves to minor crown rot while at the store, but has been blooming like a trooper ever since. Stopped blooming this week, so I decided to repot it.

Al was going well until I was holding it over the trash, picking out the packed sphag. I did not realize how floppy the leaves were where they were connected, and the crown snapped clean off.

I'm really upset, I loved this guy, I had been wanting a greenish phal for a long time, and my mom finally got me this one, and now I've ruined it.

So....as I said- I have a very nice root ball that could easily fill a 3" pot, to give you an idea. Lots of new growing tips.

Is there ANY chance that if I potted this up and kept it happy, I might get a basal growth?

Since sticking the crown in water probably wouldn't root it. (lacks meristem tissue?)

I dearly hope not all is lost for this little one.
You can see his blooms here:
they were much more green in real life.

WhiteRabbit · #2 08-20-2010, 06:53 PM

Izzie - I do think there is hope
I crown rotted a Phal last winter - nothing green at all was left of the plant, but there were very nice roots. I just continued to care for the roots lol and now have a nice basal keiki growing!

this pic is from May - the keiki is much larger now! I'll get a pic of it ...

Call_Me_Bob · #3 08-20-2010, 07:15 PM

its so pretty! i think its worth a shot!! i had one that looks exactly like that! and it was a brancher! so idk if they are the same. but i got mine from a supermarket, and it had a tag!! it was phal. kung's green star

WhiteRabbit · #4 08-20-2010, 07:20 PM

basal keiki today ...

those are the second and third leaves - it's in a 4" pot to give you an idea of their size - also it has just started it's first root!

WhiteRabbit · #5 08-20-2010, 07:32 PM

I'm guessing that nice root ball is attached to something ?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #6 08-20-2010, 08:37 PM

If part of the stem is still there, the chances are very strong for a comeback.

Even if the stem is not visible, all it needs is enough of the apical meristem to be alive and it'll grow right back.

If it has a few adventitious meristems, it'll work too.

Cross your fingers.

Izzie · #7 08-21-2010, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

basal keiki today ...

those are the second and third leaves - it's in a 4" pot to give you an idea of their size - also it has just started it's first root!

Well done Sonya!

As soon as I saw your message, I went and chucked this guy in a new pot in some lava rock and sphag. :X I hope it doesn't mind being lopsided- to fit in the new pot, the crown is way off to the side. But that's how they like to grow anyways...maybe?

Thanks for the encouragement everyone!

Izzie · #8 08-21-2010, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

I'm guessing that nice root ball is attached to something ?

Yeah, the rhizome is still there. The crown just snapped off.

@Phil

Izzie · #9 08-21-2010, 01:31 AM

Should I give this...pot....light? Or just a little light.

WhiteRabbit · #10 08-21-2010, 02:00 AM

when this first happened to mine, during winter - I put it in a south bathroom window - thick frosted glass, so very diffused light, and that's where it was when the keiki started in late winter/early spring (?) - and now for the summer it's been in south window with regular glass, but shaded by roof overhang, and growing nicely there for now - not worried about getting it to bloom right now ...
Tho I think the light yours has been getting should be fine