New buds with no roots?!

[jen.kirsten]

Hi everyone, in my never ending quest to keep an orchid alive I have run across an interesting issue. I have a Phal which I brought home about one month ago. It was packed in soggy moss so I re-potted it into bark. As I've stated in my previous posts, most of the roots were rotted so I removed almost all of them-- to say the roots were in bad shape is an understatement. All said and done, ti had about three decent roots left. Since being in it's new mix (bark) the blooms have stayed beautiful and there are two new buds which are getting larger. The only problem is the leaves, they have been droopy and I credit this to the poor root system. I did not pre-soak my bark so I have been keeping a close eye on the bark and have watered it every 8-9 days. Yesterday I noticed the leaves looking remarkably worse than usual so I removed the plant to see what was going on...NO ROOTS LEFT. The few healthy roots that were there previously had turned very hard and brown and were totally shriveled up. The crown looks fine. Basically, I am wondering, how is this plant keeping it's blooms and new buds with no roots. I am baffled!

[WhiteRabbit]

New bark usually dries very quickly, especially if not soaked before using. Watering every 8-9 days was maybe insufficient.

You may want to cut the spike, so the plant isn't using precious resources towards that. BUT! I don't do well with Phals, hopefully others with more experience and success will chime in.

Good luck!

[Ray]

Originally Posted by jen.kirsten

Basically, I am wondering, how is this plant keeping it's blooms and new buds with no roots. I am baffled!

It is expending its internal resources in a futile attempt to reproduce and continue the gene pool.

IF you want to save the plant (sounds like that's unlikely), you'll have to sacrifice the flower stalk.

[jen.kirsten]

Ack!! That thought crossed my mind but I was trying to avoid it. The largest bud is partly open this morning! Shall I just bid it farewell and snip, snip? I'm not sure where exactly to cut the spike, help!!

[Bill U.]

In your situation, you will want to cut the phal spike as close as possible to the base of the "stalk" (the section where it sprouted from the leaves). Make sure that you are using sterilized equipment and treat the cut end with a fungicide or some cinnamon dust to prevent rot.

You may be able to take that cut stalk and put it in a vase with a mix of water and maybe a splash of your fertilizer mix (TINY BIT). I have read that some people have been able to get their blooms that have already started to open to fully open and then "look pretty" for a week or more. I don't know if this will work for you, and I have no experience with it, but it's worth a shot!

[jen.kirsten]

Thank you Bill, I will bid it farewell tomorrow...

[Orquiadicto]

I once had the same problem with one of mine. I cut off the spike to save the plant. Put the spike with six or seven flowers in a vase with water and some fertilizer. The blooms lasted for weeks.

[Phalchid]

I, too, had to cut off the spike on one of my Phals, but because it had way too many blooms to remain healthy. And, yes, the flowers did last many weeks in a vase with water. I did not add any fertilizer, though! I learn something new every time I visit this site

[jen.kirsten]

I cut off the spike tonight, ho hum. It's in a vase so we'll see what happens. If it saves the plant it will be worth it. It has (had) gorgeous yellow/pink blooms. Try,try again!