Phalaenopsis with no leaves - Orchid Board

zino270 · #1 04-17-2012, 06:17 PM

I inherited a small phalaenopsis that came off the clearance rack at Lowes. After I got it, it seemed to be doing fine and developed several buds. Then one day 2 of the leaves started turning yellow and fell off. All the leaves have fallen off in the course of the week (although the last 2 fell off without turning yellow). After reading some posts on here, I suspected root rot. I pulled the plant out an loosened up the moss which was indeed packed very tightly and was very moist. However, all the roots are still very green and firm. Is this plant salvageable, or is it done for?

flexdc · #2 04-17-2012, 06:50 PM

Can you post a pic with the roots. If you have good roots it might sprout a new leave from the center. This has happened to me before.

Lorraine · #3 04-17-2012, 07:07 PM

Sounds like it it could be crown rot. If the roots are still in good shape I would clean it off and put cinnamon in the crown. Then place in a wooden basket with some moss around the roots and let it dry each day then water again. You could be lucky enough to get a kieki from the mother at the base. This time next year you might even have it bloom again. If it Kiekis leave it attached as though it is the same plant.

It has happened to me and it has a 50/50 chance of surviving. Good Luck.

zino270 · #4 04-17-2012, 07:42 PM

Well I can't seem to get photos to attach, but I can add that where the leaves were attached are black and it is mushy. So you recommend repotting it in moss again? Is the wood basket so that it will get more air and dry out everyday?

Lorraine · #5 04-17-2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zino270

Well I can't seem to get photos to attach, but I can add that where the leaves were attached are black and it is mushy. So you recommend repotting it in moss again? Is the wood basket so that it will get more air and dry out everyday?

Yes the basket lets it dry out each day & give more air. I know that phals generally are potted in moss that dries slowly in plastic pots but since you have lost the leaves you need to make sure the crown left is bacteria free so it can recover. Drying out each day seems to do better for me than keeping it in a moist pot. Too much chance to bacteria to get a hold again. You can pour some hydrogen peroxide on the whole thing to kill any bacteria esp. where its mushy. Let dry then put cinnamon (pack in) in the crown where the leaves were then put into the basket. I have also seen some recover bare root on a shelf and misted everyday. Still 50/50.

BTW leave the cinnamon in place it won't hurt the plant while acting as an antibacterial. With phals you have to be diligent to keep the crown dry. I tip my plants just so water runs off the leaves or grow them mounted with the leaves facing downwards like in nature.

WhiteRabbit · #6 04-17-2012, 08:51 PM

I crown rotted a Phal, was nothing left but a black/brown 'stump', but roots were good, so I just cared for it as usual (didn't repot nor change media, media was fresh chunky bark mix, and roots were good), and after 2-3 months maybe it started a basal keiki. No guarantees, but it's certainly possible ...