Phal possibly dying?

[gjposner]

This Phal never ceases to amaze me.. 2 days out of a pot and there is a new leaf growing! I guess it really was water? I will cut back the old crap, basically everything brown, correct? the leaf is very small, but so are the other leaves, with the largest one being only 3 inches long or so, but growth is growth.

Would anyone recommend putting it under a grow light (fluorescent tube light)? My brother has one for his fish tank that we designed to be removable and I can easily make a rig for the Phal if it would be useful to the plant. It gives off a great amount of UV light with little heat (as most fluorescent tube lights do).

I got a pot from Ikea (happened to be there with a friend today) and had to drill a drain hole in it. Note, ceramic is very difficult to drill through, even cheap Ikea ceramic.

I guess I will leave the Phal out for a few more days, mist it and whatnot, and then plant it in its new home. Hopefully it likes it!

Also a friend bought me a orchid plant that has 3 different species in it. I know one is a Phal, not sure on the others. She got it at Lowes, and thought of me ha ha. Guess I have more things to take care of. It is some 'special' pot that apparently has no need to drain with a false bottom that holds water in some sort of descant and slow releases it back in. I am guessing it is like those silica beads that expand to hold water, but I won't take the risk of opening it up (although with my electronic background and warranty voiding nature, it is quite tempting). Thank you all so much for the help. I definitely appreciate it. Hopefully I will not have to ask for help again!

[silken]

If roots are firm and brown, don't cut them! sometimes they stain that colour from whatever it was potted in. Only brown dead leaf material and soggy or hollow root should be cut.

It likely won't hurt to be out of the pot a couple days. What kind of potting media will you use? Just a small plastic pot with drain holes would be fine as well. but if the ceramic one can drain well, it would work. I like clear plastic pots so I can see what's happening in there. Soak your bark or CHC, or whatever you are using before potting the plant. It should be OK under a fluorescent light, but an eastern window or any window with good but indirect light would do as well.

Feel free to ask for more help in the future. Most of us do ask over and over again! that's how we learn! Happy growing.