Is this orchid salvagable?

[butterfly_muse]

Good morning! I have an orchid that my fiance and I bought at a big box store together, and when I got it home its roots were horribly rotted and its moss was compacted. I cut the dead roots and repotted it, but I have noticed that the roots are still shriveling and dying. In an attempt to save it, I tried misting the roots (but I have not watered the plant except for one time). Last night I noticed its base area is black, so this morning I decided to pull it out of its new medium and have a look. There are white dash-shaped lines ALL OVER all of the roots, and they are yellowing. The leaves are droopy and have black undersides. I don't know that much about orchids, but I'm thinking this might be some kind of infection?

I am tempted to just cut my losses and try again with another orchid, as I am afraid whatever is wrong with this one might reach my other phal (which is currently quite healthy). I have attached pictures. Any idea what this is?

PS - Sorry my cat is photobombing a couple pics. Every time I go near the door he tries to convince me it's time for him to go outside. :P

Thanks.

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[mattryan]

I definitely think your phal is salvagable, I have orchids that are way worse. Look on the link phal abuse ends here. Very informative thread. I personally would repot into as small a pot as you can and water only when roots turn white. The dashes are just the roots mine look exactly the same. I don't see black on the undersides of the leaves, it looks like the natural colouring that phals can get when exposed to strong light. Especially if their flowers are dark in colour. I don't see rot, but you can dip the whole base into a bath of peroxide and then rinse after the bubbles have stopped. I would just naturally put a new addition in a separate area or a few weeks just in case it has something. I would pot it back up and watch my watering. I've found all orchids will change as they get acclaimated to your environment. So don't be alarmed if your flowers soon start to drop. If you are really concerned about the health of your phal cut the infloresence, and let your orchid concentrate on growing roots. Goodluck!

Cheryl

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by mattryan

I definitely think your phal is salvagable, I have orchids that are way worse. Look on the link phal abuse ends here. Very informative thread. I personally would repot into as small a pot as you can and water only when roots turn white. The dashes are just the roots mine look exactly the same. I don't see black on the undersides of the leaves, it looks like the natural colouring that phals can get when exposed to strong light. Especially if their flowers are dark in colour. I don't see rot, but you can dip the whole base into a bath of peroxide and then rinse after the bubbles have stopped. I would just naturally put a new addition in a separate area or a few weeks just in case it has something. I would pot it back up and watch my watering. I've found all orchids will change as they get acclaimated to your environment. So don't be alarmed if your flowers soon start to drop. If you are really concerned about the health of your phal cut the infloresence, and let your orchid concentrate on growing roots. Goodluck!

Cheryl

It came to us in bloom and I cut the flowers in hopes the plant would divert its energy to growing better roots and fixing its leaves. I will try to find a smaller pot for it while I'm out today. Will a plastic cup work if I poke a few holes in it in the mean time? (I think I might order some small proper pots from Repotme).

[jrodpad]

The plastic cup will certainly work. This one appears to be salvageable. I would treat with seaweed extract, coconut water or some other proper rooting hormone (like super thrive) to stimulate new root growth.

And definitely read the 'Phal abuse stops here thread' - it's super long, but worth it.

-J

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by jrodpad

The plastic cup will certainly work. This one appears to be salvageable. I would treat with seaweed extract, coconut water or some other proper rooting hormone (like super thrive) to stimulate new root growth.

And definitely read the 'Phal abuse stops here thread' - it's super long, but worth it.

-J

Thank you! I actually read the entire thread last week and decided to order some KLN after reading it. It should be here early next week and I am very anxious to get it. Mostly I was just worried about the weird dot/line things on the roots, as my other phal has never had that and it was my first time encountering it. I soaked her in hydrogen peroxide as another poster suggested and then I soaked her roots in water while I ran errands this morning. When I got home , I put her in a tiny clear plastic cup which I poked/sliced some holes in and filled her in with some bark/charcoal. Anything else I should do until my root hormone gets here? Was that the right thing to do?

[jrodpad]

KLN is great stuff. Keep it in the fridge when you're not using it. It has a natural shelf life that is extended when its in the fridge. You're doing just fine. Phals are hearty and you've got a great resource here with the OB.

Good luck.

-J

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by jrodpad

KLN is great stuff. Keep it in the fridge when you're not using it. It has a natural shelf life that is extended when its in the fridge. You're doing just fine. Phals are hearty and you've got a great resource here with the OB.

Good luck.

-J

That's a great tip to know, thank you! My fiance is gonna go in our fridge for some soda and be like "WTF?" Lol! I am SO glad I joined this board, I have learned more in the last week than I even thought possible. You guys rock. One last question: I think I overpotted the orchid in question my first time. The bark mix is brand new, and the orchid has only been in it maybe a week. I downsized, but can I keep this bark and use it for the same orchid later? Or do I need to throw it out?

[Brooke]

The white dots/lines on the roots are normal for many Phals. Nothing to worry about.

Peroxide is a contact product so there is no reason to soak the roots in it. After it is poured on the bacterial area, rinse the roots and repot.

Brooke

[karategirl73]

Sounds like you are on the right track! Your phal will bounce back in no time.

[butterfly_muse]

Brooke: I did, I kind of soaked it in a small cup and swished it around to make sure it made contact with everything and then I rinsed it and soaked the roots in some water since several of them were dried. Now it's back in some bark crunched into a nice small clear cup (so the sun can penetrate). =) Hopefully she will cheer up soon.

Thanks so much, guys! I really appreciate everything.