Base of phal going mouldy! What can I do!

[The Orchid Kid]

I have heard they can still recover, as there is energy in the thick leaves. But I doubt it is easy...

Whatever - it will be a LONG road back I reckon. IMHO for the price and easy availability of phals I would bin it and grab another healthy one.

Quite possible it was in bad shape before you even bought it so don't feel bad. Orchids can have the look of apparent good health for a while, even though there is a serious underlying issue.

[supersheep]

Yeah, I do think it probably was in poor health when I got it, despite the flowers looking so healthy.

I should of repotted it from day one, as I think the medium it was in was just too old. I'll know for the next one...

I'd like to try and save it though, so any suggestions on doing so would be great!

[NYCorchidman]

DO NOT wash the roots in alcohol as doing so will damage the roots.
Alcohol does not make bubbles.
I think rilla meant to say hydrogen peroxide, which does bubble up and can kill off lots of microorganisms without hurting the roots.

You do have so live roots. Also, you mentioned that none of the leaves including the crown is soft.
Then, your plant is not that in bad condition actually.
Potting this plant in too open media may further dessicate the roots and make the plant suffer.

I would recommend potting in open mix like bark for perfect drainage, but put the whole plant and pot inside a large clear plastic or glass container to maintiain high humidity, which helps faster recovery.
The container should have a few holes here and there for ventilation or moulds will appear again.

With the damaged roots, your plant might drop one or more leaves to balance the water uptake and loss. but that is not a concern.

Place the whole setup somewhere bright but away from direct sun.
If all is right and the plant is willing, a month or so later, you will see roots and leaves forming.

best wishes!

PS if you do not have any container larger enough to put your plant and pot under, then use plastic bag like the very thin shopping bag type, but it has to be clear to let the light in.
frequent misting (not on the leaves but on top of media) will help.

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[supersheep]

Thanks NYCorchidman

But all the roots have gone now - the rot spread so I had to cut them all.

It's just the leaves, stem and the stub which the roots connected to.

And how long do you recommend soaking it in hydrogen peroxide?

Thanks!

[NYCorchidman]

no problem!

All the roots are gone? I was looking at picture 2 and I thought I was looking at some live roots.
hmmmm,,,well, then it's a lot tougher than with roots.

Ok, so soaking can be just five minutes or so, not too long. pat dry the plant especially the crown.

Find some kind of rooting hormone that's available in your country and apply it toward the base of the bottom leaves. just smear all around the base area.
then set the whole plant on moist (not sopping wet as this will further worsen the plant with the same cause but high humidity is essential) moss (do not use bark as there are no roots now and bark is too dry and hard to keep moist).

Stake the plant so it doesn't wobble around.

Set the whole plant and pot and all inside a large clear plastic or glass container with some holes for ventilation. find a way to increase humidity without causing mould or fungi growth.
What I do is that I place a sheet of kitchen towel (the thick paper for kitchen, not sure if it's called the same in UK) at the very bottom of the glass container, set the pot. pour in some water enough to dampen the kitchen towel.
I enlose the container mouth with a kitchen wrap, then poke a few decent sized holes (like 0.5cm diameter) for ventilation.
Place it somewhere warm and bright.

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention is to trim the leaves. With no roots, those large leaves continure to lose water even in this humidity chamber.
Plants will most likely terminate one or two bottom leaves on its own, but sometimes the whole leaves get wrinkly due to dehydration and that's not good.
So I normally cut all the leaves in half to reduce water loss.

Hope all goes well, but it will take a long time.

[supersheep]

Thanks NYCorchidman

Yeah, since I took that picture, the rest of the roots started to go mouldy and mushy, so now there's none left.

I'll try what you suggested and fingers crossed! I only bought this one about 2 months ago - so I wonder if it was already in very bad health from the shop.

Oh and we do call it kitchen towel here in the UK too.

Thanks!

[NYCorchidman]

Oh, good to know it is called the same!

Fingers crossed as well!

[The Orchid Kid]

keep us posted on progress super sheep. Sorry if I sounded a bit pessimistic! Good on you trying to save it and best of luck.

NYCOrchidman has some cracking tips there