The Phal abuse ends here.

[dreamynights]

Originally Posted by Rowangreen

Putting a bit of cinamon just on the cut ends is OK.

You need to be strict with your mum: no more watering when it's still damp! You've got a clear pot so make the rule that it doesn't get watered at least until the roots down in the pot have gone silvery (better to go a bit over this than under probably). Water it at the sink so any excess can drain away too.

Don't cut off the dried out roots: the roots have an absorbant outer layer and a core that transports water. If they are green further down then probably the core is still working. It's normal to lose a few roots when changing from one medium to another. Hopefully the plant will soon put out some fresh new roots. It looks pretty healthy overall.

Unfortunately, even though my pot is technically clear... I cant really see through it! They arent the "crystal clear" kind so I think thats why its difficult to tell when to water! My mother doesn't water when its still very wet, but when the top looks dry but you can feel a bit of wetness when you push down. It is currently at that state right now and the roots look pretty green with a hint of silver. I think I will wait until the roots look more white than green next time when I water.

My last post I said I didn't see any growth (maybe cause I cant see through the pot either) but on one of the surface roots I can see a little root sprouting off a bigger root. Hooray!

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by dreamynights

Unfortunately, even though my pot is technically clear... I cant really see through it! They arent the "crystal clear" kind so I think thats why its difficult to tell when to water! My mother doesn't water when its still very wet, but when the top looks dry but you can feel a bit of wetness when you push down. It is currently at that state right now and the roots look pretty green with a hint of silver. I think I will wait until the roots look more white than green next time when I water.

My last post I said I didn't see any growth (maybe cause I cant see through the pot either) but on one of the surface roots I can see a little root sprouting off a bigger root. Hooray!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_HJhY8gBn...2Bin%2Bpot.jpg <-- Here is a nice comparison of wet vs dry.

[orchid-recruit]

It can be tricky getting to know when to water your plants, so you should try and get on a schedule, like once a week unless you live somewhere very dry. Try to keep the potting medium consistent so there is no confusion about which pots have moss, fine, or medium bark, etc. Only one person should be watering any house plant unless both adhere to the strict schedule. I'd be pissed if I caught my boyfriend watering my orchids.

---------- Post added at 05:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:54 PM ----------

Oh, and I think it is better to error on the side of dry than too wet.

[shushu45]

About a month ago i got a mini Plal. from Lowe's. The growers who potted it put it in just sphagnum moss tightly and it just didn't feel right to me. So i potted it and on close examination the roots there was lots root rot. i had to cut off 90-95% of the roots. i looked at the roots again this last watering and there are lots of new roots forming, but the leaves don't look healthy. they are wrinkly and at the edges of the leaves they are a yellowish color. is that good?? will the plant come back with the with the healthy root system but not so healthy leaves??

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by shushu45

About a month ago i got a mini Plal. from Lowe's. The growers who potted it put it in just sphagnum moss tightly and it just didn't feel right to me. So i potted it and on close examination the roots there was lots root rot. i had to cut off 90-95% of the roots. i looked at the roots again this last watering and there are lots of new roots forming, but the leaves don't look healthy. they are wrinkly and at the edges of the leaves they are a yellowish color. is that good?? will the plant come back with the with the healthy root system but not so healthy leaves??

The leaves are probably yellow because they did not have enough water from inadequate roots. You can try misting the leaves or you can dunk the plant underwater for a little while. As long as you clean out the crown after, that should work. Plants can drink from their leaves, so. =)

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[shushu45]

Thank you very mush. I got worred there. ^__^

[shushu45]

Today i went to wal-mart today looking for some cat food and bell peppers, and came acrossed a sad looking Phal. with a dead flower spike. So i looked it over and it looked ok to me root wise. i got it for $5. when i got it home i went to repot it and the moment i pulled it out of the pot the two big leaves on it came right off. I looked at the center and there was rot there. i then did an emergency rot clean up (idk what to call it.) and cleaned and cut anything that didnt look green.

After that i saved any roots that i cut off so the poor thing can fit into the pot and spread a little keiki paste on the open ends and placed it in sphag. and i did the same with the leaves that fell off, after cutting the rotted parts.

The only leaves that are still on the poor plant are little ones and i dont think they'll make it. i also put cinnamon on any rotted part on the crown (any where that looked grey).

Is it saveable??

[The Orchid Boy]

I'd say it will survive. I've heard of worse phals than that surviving.

[shushu45]

Thank you kind Sir..

[dreamynights]

Im starting to think the little white bugs I found on my orchid are some type of mite. They do not look like larvae of any sort and are very small and more oval, while all walking very fast. However I dont really see any webs. Is it okay to leave them alone? I watered recently and they appeared again, so will they all die out again once the moss becomes dry?