Photodocumentary of a dying P. equestris... - Orchid Board

The Mutant · #1 03-17-2012, 02:34 PM

Anyone remember these threads?
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...equestris.html

The return of the living dead...

Well, I thought I should bring you an update on mother and keiki and as the title says; they're not doing well. It's not really surprising though considering they both have to share an inadequate root system consisting of one short (about 1cm) but relatively healthy root and some non-functional ones. I've started treating them with Superthrive to see if I can save the keiki, but I'm not overly optimistic.

I looked through some photos I took of when it first arrived and compared to today... Well, see for yourselves (and don't let those roots fool you, they're not rotten or anything like that, but they don't work properly and they always have this strange green-brown colour whether they're wet or dry. I circled to best looking root on the entire plant and this is one of two that are still keeping the plant alive.):

zxyqu · #2 03-17-2012, 02:40 PM

Mutant, I think you're gonna be surprised when this one turns the corner and survives just fine. Any roots are good, and the keiki is small enough to not need too many to grow. With the spring warmth coming, it should crank up it's growth nicely. Good luck

The Mutant · #3 03-17-2012, 02:48 PM

Thank you Jarad, I really hope so. It seems this plant has battled against the stem rot it was afflicted with for several months before coming to me, and it took a turn for the worse after being shipped. I hope it'll come around considering the leaves are still green, but I'm preparing myself for the worst.

It stands together with my other two "less than happy" Phals in my homemade Phal nursery which consists of a heating pad and a couple of moist towels. They all need to grow roots and they're all being treated with Superthrive to help them along. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for all three of them.

nenella · #4 03-17-2012, 03:32 PM

Doesn't look that bad at all! I agree that is more than 'salvagable' !!!! I have had a lot worse looking roots & plant that came back to better health! The wilted looking leaves won't change much, but if you get new root growth & leaves you're on a winner.
Just my 1 cent ....
If it does deteriorate.. an idea might be to pot it into smaller bark bits??? At the moment the visible roots look ok.
Keep on looking after as you are I'm sure it will be ok!

The Mutant · #5 03-17-2012, 04:29 PM

I hope for some roots so it can start absorbing the necessary nutrition to produce some new leaves. I really want to save it since it seems like such a fighter (and since it was so big when I got it).

If the Superthrive remedy doesn't seem to work, I'll try putting into smaller sized bark. As it is now, I've stressed it enough what with re-potting it twice already so re-potting it is quite low in the reviving-list, but it's a good advice in case everything else fails since I've no idea how to nurse anything back from the brink of death, so thanks!

Yup, it's wait and watch that I'm doing now and will keep doing until it show some sign of change, either to the worse or the better.

tucker85 · #6 03-17-2012, 04:39 PM

Your phal looks pretty good to me. I think it should be fine.

Pelepel · #7 03-17-2012, 09:08 PM

Don't worry, looks pretty good as people pointed out. I personally don't like phals nor growing them...so I'll live through you! LOL

Perhaps later you can throw it into s/h...though you have to keep a good eye on roots and spray mold/fungus while it establishes...but all our orchids love it. Ray has terrific info if you ever wish to go that route.

Good luck!

The Mutant · #8 03-18-2012, 08:32 PM

A sad update. My aurea has unfortunately gone to Phal heaven. After a response from a member at Big Leaf Orchid forum, I decided to check the roots again. After pulling it out of the pot I realized that the rot had spread to the entire stem (not upwards, only downwards) including the keiki. The rot was too far gone so I decided to give up on it. It was no wonder it only wilted more and more.

Paul Mc · #9 03-18-2012, 08:47 PM

Oh no!!!! I'm so sorry to hear that. Please take heart in knowing that yours and many others we have parted with are now in a better, happier place together. I.E. free to grow and be!

Pelepel · #10 03-18-2012, 10:09 PM

So sorry to hear your phal went to Plant Heaven.

Our only dtps just got repotted after we checked the roots ourselves this afternoon, and realized if left in the original pot (it has two spikes!) it would succumb to rot and fungus. Into s/h she went.

Don't feel too bad. We all lose a few.