Oh Boy, Sad Phal

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by mychi88

And am I suppose to leave the paper sheath part (where the leaves grow out from) above or under the medium? _(

Are you sure you're referring to a phal mychi? There shouldn't be any papery sheath to pull away on phals.

I've done the sphag./bag on cattleyas, never on phals and it works. Now that your phal has been repotted, the suggestion to encourage more humidity and root growth by using the plastic bag, will bring on growth activity for your plant. Rooting hormone is definitely what I suggest as well. It works. You've got more than enough good roots to make this a short recovery.

I've got a stressed out phal right now that I'm nursing as well and wouldn't you know it, it's my favorite of all my phals, a harlequin. I was told by a local grower to put it in s/h pellets, add a little sphag near the top but away from the crown of the plant and to water every 3 days which I'm doing with added SuperThrive to it. (I'm in South Florida and humidity is not hard to find here.) I had 1/4" of healthy root left - everything else, dead. It's been 2 weeks now and the plant is in the process of growing a new leaf so this is working out great, thankfully.

As others here have said, don't disturb your plant any further. Just keep to the regimen suggested and I'm sure you'll have great results.

Best of luck.

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by Sandy

Are you sure you're referring to a phal mychi? There shouldn't be any papery sheath to pull away on phals.

oooops, just saw your pics and it's a phal, sorry. I'm still a little confused though by your referral to papery sheaths.

At this point, I would leave the plant alone and let it recover. Even on healthy phals, I've noticed that if I do a re-pot while a leaf is growing, it will delay the progress of the growth. I know it's hard to do but if you can leave it be without any 'checking' and just watering, it'll have a better chance to recover.

[quiltergal]

I think the papery sheath referred to is actually where the old leaves were on the phal. Sometimes when the leaf falls off it leaves a little bit behind that dries up and becomes papery.

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

I think the papery sheath referred to is actually where the old leaves were on the phal. Sometimes when the leaf falls off it leaves a little bit behind that dries up and becomes papery.

Got ya quiltergal. Makes sense now. Thank you.

[mychi88]

I do have a tendency to pick up the bag and looking at the roots everyday. I also keep moving the bag to warm areas in the house as it's getting chilly at nights. Maybe I should stop doing that.

I believe i've officially become obsessed. Last night I had a dream my phal grew out a large lush leaf and a new root the size of my wrist. Nice and super green. lol.

[gmdiaz]

mychi88, I have that obsession problem too.

All we can do is strive to let "well enough alone". . .and to learn when exactly that applies to us. I am still not clear on this point. *smirk*

[Phallgirl]

I would hold off on anymore cutting--some root is better than none. Just be patient because it will take a while for your Phal to get better, it won't happen right away.