Dying phal? help for beginner

[Jandrea]

Here's the run down; These were given to me by my mother, they look shriveled so I watered them twice in 24 hours. Then I looked them up. The leaves still look shriveled and pale, they are in spagh. but Im thinking it may be packed too tightly, and the roots have started rotting? My question is should I repot now or is that too much stress for the new plant?

Additional info,
It is growing indoors, I'm located in central fl. and it is growing next to a tobacco plant (I'm assuming thats okay?)

I would post a picture but since I am a new member it will not let me? How can I go about fixing this?

Thanks!

[expresspine]

Use the attachment tab right above where you type next to the fonts for the pics. It just worked for me.

[WhiteRabbit]

The foliage isn't likely to spring back to good health - hopefully the plant will be able to start growing new foliage with proper care.

It's better to repot, than not, especially if you suspect root rot - and more so even if roots are rotting, and it's potted in sphag - it needs to be able to dry out a bit. Rotted roots will be very soft, mushy, gray - black in color, and the outer velum falls apart/off. Shriveled pale roots may have dried out.

If the attachment (paperclip) button isn't letting you upload photos - you will just need a few more posts (5 total), in order to post photos.

[Jandrea]

Thanks for the help,
Thats disappointing that the leaves wont bounce back,
I will make sure to trim the roots, remove some sphag. moss, and repot it tomorrow.

---------- Post added at 12:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:15 AM ----------

Also, how long do you think I should wait until I water them again?
thanks a lot!

[WhiteRabbit]

I use a bamboo kabob skewer in the media to judge when to water. Pull out the skewer, touch to cheek or upper lip. Water when skewer feels just slightly cool, not damp.

[sweetjblue]

Jandrea,
I would also move the plant away from the tobacco plant as there is always the chance that it could contain a virus and you would risk spreading it to your phal if you touched one after the other without throughly washing your hands. Tobacco is a known virus carrier. Same thing if you smoke.

Judi

[Jandrea]

Whiterabbit,
thank you, I will use that method, it already has a bamboo skewer that came with it so I'll use that.

Sweetjblue,
thank you i didn't know that!! I will definitely separate them and do my best not to cross-contaminate