Please help me save my sick Phalaenopsis!

[me-chele]

I got this phalaenopsis orchid as a sympathy gift about four years ago when a close friend of mine passed away, so saving it means everything to me! I don't know anything about plants and there seems to be a lot of conflicting info out there, so anything the more experienced growers could offer would be helpful. I'm including pictures, one with my coffee cup so that you can see just how small it is now.

The phal used to have large leaves, though it hasn't flowered since I first got it. The spike died (turned brown and dry) right after the flowers dropped and it never grew another one. It did grow a few new leaves and since they were so healthy, I didn't do anything but water it until the older leaves fell off. I thought repotting would help, so in August I bought some Miracle Gro Orchid mix. The moss that it was in was waterlogged and only one root was alive so I used powdered growth hormone (per instructions) and then potted it.

The leaves that are left started to shrivel after that, which is why two of them are trimmed in the picture, where I cut off the dead parts. I started reading online and realized that the soil mix was not good for it. I also read that it should be root-bound and small plants should be in sphag, bigger ones in bark. Even though it's only been three months since it was last repotted, I decided to put bark in the bottom of a new, much smaller pot (with drainage hole) then fill with sphag and put some more bark on top. Was that the right thing to do? Should I just leave it near its eastern window now? Or should I put the whole thing in a Ziplock bag in a shadier area (sphag-in-a-bag style)? Should I fertilize it and if so, using what?

Thanks in advance!

[krystle]

ok first i would repot it, but go to a orchid or plant greenhouse or shop and buy a mixture of bark, charcoal, spong rock, there is a vid you can look up on youtube about how to repot it too.(look under repotting orchids) also make sure you when repotting to pack the mixture in the pot so its not sitting in the pot lose. then make sure you rinse it out for a good couple of mins so you get all the charcoal dust and stuff out of the pot. i would also make sure you water it at least once a week but for the first couple of weeks sense it is new material i would water it again in 4 to 5 days then once it hold moister then go to once a week. make sure it gets good sunlight too i have mine in a east facing window and it loves it. fertilizer wise i would go with the one you can buy for fantasyorchid.com works amazing. keep in mind i can guarantee it will work this is what i have done and works for me! good luck!

[ardera]

It is funny you should mention Fantasy Orchids, they are about 10 minutes from where I live.

After you have repotted it in a new bark mix, you should actually water it more than once a week. The new bark mix is not going to retain much water for a while. I actually water mine twice a week, and sometimes more, if i have just repotted them. When you take it out of your current pot, heck the roots again. Withered leaves mean something is up with your roots. Either it is either being over watered or under watered. If your roots are dry and brittle, it is not getting enough water. Black and mushy means they it is getting too much. Hopefully you have some good roots left.

[krystle]

lol i live about 20 mins away from there.nice to met someone who lives in colorado too. but i would agree with that hard to explain exactly how to do it the right way.

[Paul Mc]

I would also try getting some DynaGro ProTekt and adding it in smaller than recommended dosages for use in watering once a week. It will help strengthen the phal from environmental stresses. I have used it time and time again on my phal's when they have started having issues and they bounced back within a few weeks with regular usage.

You might also try reducing the amount of light it recieves a bit, for about 2 weeks. This helps the plant focus on mending itself as opposed to photosynthesis. Again, this is a method I have tried with several of my very sick phal's over the years and they all have survived beautifully.

If I am wrong on any account, someone please let me know. I am still learning as well.

[me-chele]

Thanks so much, Krystle, Paul, and Ardera!

So, do you guys think I should repot in bark right away? Or should I let it recuperate from being moved out of the soil and into the sphag yesterday before moving it again? The last thing I want to do is shock it too much, but I want it to be in the best possible environment to recoup.

Ardera, the roots were definitely damaged from being in the old waterlogged sphag for 4 years. (poor thing, I didn't know any better...) There was only one live root when I repotted in the soil mix in August. Amazingly, the soil didn't kill it. It seemed strong yesterday, but I'm hoping it will grow new ones. The bark will encourage the roots better?

Paul, I'm definitely going to get the DynaGro; it's great to know it's helped other sick phals. And I moved it out of the window too. Have you tried the sphag-in-a-bag method? People who like it say the same thing about the light, but I'm worried about mold if it stays moist.

[krystle]

well i would repot if its what you have it in right now is making it worse! i would definitely take it out of the light too.

[ardera]

Sphagnum stays really wet for quite a while. I personally move mine into bark as soon as I can, when I get them. Bark would also allow for the roots to get the air that they like. I would recommend repotting in bark.

[Paul Mc]

I concur, you need to get it out of the soil into bark. Phal's need air movement around the roots so they can breathe. The soil and sphag might sufficate the roots, and the sphag retains water like crazy. Just keep an eye on the fresh bark, you will want to make sure the bark is pretty near dry before watering again to reduce the chances of infection/bacteria.

[val_and_graham]

We tend to agree with ardera and Paul Mc as we prefer bark for our Phals. Your poor little Phal has been repotted twice if I've read your original post correctly. General advice is not to continually repot as it stresses the plant further. Since you repotted it with a bark/sphag/bark combination, you would be in the best position to advise how compact the sphag is around the roots. As mentioned by Paul Mc, air around the roots is important and if you feel the bark layers of your potting mix are giving the roots some air it may be best to avoid repotting again.
You've mentioned about over-watering and have had some advice from others on that, also about light. Can you tell us more about the environment/air (no drafts or nasty fumes)/temps that you are giving your orchid, as these can affect it too.