Bad, BAD Phal owner! - Orchid Board

The Mutant · #1 06-09-2012, 11:52 AM

I've almost killed off all of my Phal. equestris aurea and my Dtps. Liu's Berry's roots!

They've been looking very sad lately and today I finally worked up the courage and pulled them out of their pots; the aurea's old roots are all dead, I think I've kept it too dry (it was planted in sphagnum when I got it, but I moved it to a bark/sphagnum/perlite mix and it seems it didn't take the transition too well) in its new medium, but the good news are that it's getting plenty of new growths on some of the old roots as well as new roots, the bad news is that they're insufficient to support the plant at the moment.

The Dtps. Liu's Berry's root system was almost completely rotted, so apparently I've been keeping this guy too wet. It barely has any roots left at all, but it has some aerial ones I hope can work as new roots until it has grown some more (it's working on some new ones, but they're a bit too small yet).

They're both taking a Superthrive soak at the moment and will be planted into smaller pots afterwards (due to their root systems having shrunk), kept away from too strong light, and standing warm and humid and being monitored carefully.

I really hope they'll make it, the aurea will I think since it's so vigorous, but I might have killed the little Berry...

james mickelso · #2 06-09-2012, 04:25 PM

Don't despair. These orchids are tougher than they appear. I have had a three leafed phal survive a year with no roots so far and the leaves are still quite healthy. I keep it warm and humid. I recently repotted it in very loose spagnum moss for humidity. The leaves are turgid and I think I see a root nub and possibly a new leaf growing. Sio be hopeful and leave them alone. Soaking isn't recommended. Just mist them a couple times a day if you can. But leave the roots alone. Let nature take care of them now. Warmth, light, and humidity are all they need to survive. I have been repotting my rescue phals only when they have new roots growing. Otherwise unless they are in dire need of repotting, I leaves them in the crap they come in but cut way back on the watering so as not to create an environment conducive to root rot.

Bud · #3 06-09-2012, 04:30 PM

You are very new at this...so I am attributing this to hit and miss method...but...I have faith in you. You can grow orchids because you love them.

camille1585 · #4 06-09-2012, 04:43 PM

I wish that last comment were true!! I love Dens very much, but am exceedingly good at killing them.... You need to talk to my Dens Bud. lol

Bud · #5 06-09-2012, 04:47 PM

Camille...I will be happy to give you tips: you have seen my Dendrobiums...and they are all magnificent...now you need to talk to my Masdevalias...all of them wont bloom at all...but my consolation is: they are all happy and healthy

camille1585 · #6 06-09-2012, 04:49 PM

I've finally figured out Oncs (I was underwatering), so hopefully Dens will be next. I think I tend to underwater them as well.
Someone desperately needs to have a chat with my masdie, it's been nothing but trouble since I got it, and now it's rotting. I didn't even know that it was possible to rot a masdie!

james mickelso · #7 06-09-2012, 04:53 PM

Mas'? You can hear them scream in terror just before dying when I bring them home!! Down in San Diego they grew like weeds at my house, but up here in Oceanside they wilt and die before I get them out of the nursery. Don't know why. Lycastes are the same. Same distance from the beach. Same temps. Same light. But they start to cringe and if I pick them up in the nursery they scream in abject terror. Go figure.

The Mutant · #8 06-09-2012, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Don't despair. These orchids are tougher than they appear. I have had a three leafed phal survive a year with no roots so far and the leaves are still quite healthy. I keep it warm and humid. I recently repotted it in very loose spagnum moss for humidity. The leaves are turgid and I think I see a root nub and possibly a new leaf growing. Sio be hopeful and leave them alone. Soaking isn't recommended. Just mist them a couple times a day if you can. But leave the roots alone. Let nature take care of them now. Warmth, light, and humidity are all they need to survive. I have been repotting my rescue phals only when they have new roots growing. Otherwise unless they are in dire need of repotting, I leaves them in the crap they come in but cut way back on the watering so as not to create an environment conducive to root rot.

Thanks for the advice, but it it's too late regarding the soak since they've both taken the bath. I hope they'll be fine anyway.

I've planted both in sphagnum temporarily until they've developed some more roots.

The only thing I did with the roots were removing the dead/dying ones and, unfortunately, soaking them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bud

You are very new at this...so I am attributing this to hit and miss method...but...I have faith in you. You can grow orchids because you love them.

Um... What do you mean with "hit and miss method"? Do you refer to my rescue attempt or to the fact that I managed to rot the roots on one and dehydrate them on the other?

Unfortunately, love isn't enough.

WhiteRabbit · #9 06-09-2012, 05:13 PM

I find skewers in the media a great help in determining when to water. Fresh bark especially, as it initially doesn't retain moisture long. Your Phal with roots, I'm sure will be fine. I haven't had luck saving rootless Phals, but others have.

WhiteRabbit · #10 06-09-2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

I've finally figured out Oncs (I was underwatering), so hopefully Dens will be next. I think I tend to underwater them as well.
Someone desperately needs to have a chat with my masdie, it's been nothing but trouble since I got it, and now it's rotting. I didn't even know that it was possible to rot a masdie!

Likely you are underwatering Dens. It's been my experience with at least the types I have, that they do not want to dry out. Den-phals probably aren't bothered too much if they get watered as soon as they become dry, but I keep mine moist usually, tho just slightly drier in winter. Of course nobile types should be slightly dry in winter to get blooms. But other than that, mine seem to like to be moist - I have Latourias, small Den phals, nobile, victoria-reginae and Mingle's Sapphire (I always forget what that section name is), kingianum and kingi x