The Phal abuse ends here.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You can order some bark online from Orchid Supplies from rePotme.com - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Care - Orchid Fertilizer, if all else fails.

[gingersmommy]

I had ordered some special clear pots and premium phal mix from on on-line company and repotted all of my orchids recently. This morning, I repotted four of my sister's orchids. One was in bud and just about ready to bloom. I know you're not supposed to report when they are blooming, but 3/4 of it was sticking up outside of the bark medium and the roots were crispy. My sister said she would sacrifice the buds (if it wound up dropping its buds) in order to save the plant. It lifted right out of the pot because it was basically just sitting on the top. We discovered that there were actually no viable roots. I have no idea how it set a spike in this condition, although the spike was a good size as were the three buds on it. We repotted it in one of the tiny clear plastic pots with the black baskets. My hope is that the light coming through the pot might encourage roots to grow.

Do you think the roots will come back? Poor thing; both of us are feeling very maternal about this little guy.

[Ordphien]

Hmm... I would cut the spike.
Normally I'm not a fan of cutting spikes but with no roots Its better if the plant redirects that energy to growing roots.

Rooting medium or kelp extract might be very helpful in this situation.

A flower spike can be an orchids last attempt to reproduce before it dies.

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[gingersmommy]

Thank you. Major bummer.

Do you think it can come back? Assuming ideal conditions now, how long does it take for roots to grow?

[Ordphien]

Originally Posted by gingersmommy

Thank you. Major bummer.

Do you think it can come back? Assuming ideal conditions now, how long does it take for roots to grow?

Well the odds are in your favor.
It's the season for growing roots.

I would get something to stimulate root growth and try and keep the humidity up around the phal.
If it's not warm in your area maybe warm it to a little too.


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[Ordphien]

I figured this thread could use some inspiration rescue stories for motivation.

I got this orchid from a friend about two years ago.
It was severely dehydrated with no roots.
The two bottom leave you see in the first picture quickly fell off after I got it.
It was found in the dumpster behind her work.
My very first orchid was this orchid.
Sad shape right?
Well... two years later it's now got 8 leaves and two spikes.
So anything is possible guys.
Just keep the hope and don't give up till it's dead!

But don't forget to buy yourself a healthy one to console yourself while trying to save the other one.


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[orchid-recruit]

I wouldn't cut the spike, and it sounds like it is doing pretty well with hardly any roots. Why worry about a plant that seems to be doing great. It has green leaves and it wants to bloom!

[sealion]

That's a great rescue story Ordphien! It's hard to imagine new roots growing when there's none left! You've given me new hope that I can rescue mine, although it's not looking very likely.

[silken]

Originally Posted by orchid-recruit

I wouldn't cut the spike, and it sounds like it is doing pretty well with hardly any roots. Why worry about a plant that seems to be doing great. It has green leaves and it wants to bloom!

It needs roots to survive and growing flowers takes a lot of energy. Often if a plant is on the verge of death, it will put its last reserves into flowering to carry on its progeny. So I agree that cutting the spike would be a good idea so it can put all of its energy into growing roots. If it has no roots it is not doing great!

[gingersmommy]

Ordphien, that was a great story. I will have to advise my sister to cut the spike.