Leaf & Root Issues - Mini Phal - Newbie

[Higgins23]

Well, I bought some "Grow More" Seaweed Extract (liquefied organic kelp) for root system promotion today. I am also repotting the problem child into a much smaller unglazed pot and adding a bit of moss to the bark mix. I will not fertilize for a while. Do you think I need to use any other type of root booster along with the seaweed extract?? Thanks again!

[Tim C.]

I would just stick with the product you ordered, and see how it works. Give it a few weeks time, maybe a month, and see if you've got good root growth. If not, you can either try another product, or let the plant get going on its own. Despite what many people outside of the orchid world think, orchids are quite resilient plants - if your plant can survive this long, it'll probably make a comeback.

-Tim

[Higgins23]

Originally Posted by Tim C.

I would just stick with the product you ordered, and see how it works. Give it a few weeks time, maybe a month, and see if you've got good root growth. If not, you can either try another product, or let the plant get going on its own. Despite what many people outside of the orchid world think, orchids are quite resilient plants - if your plant can survive this long, it'll probably make a comeback.

-Tim

Thanks Tim. I'll give it a shot!

[Higgins23]

Here's the new pot set up! Wish her luck

[Higgins23]

Hi gang. Another question about my phal in recovery....now that she's in a much smaller pot, of course the medium dries out a lot faster. Since the problem is dehydration to begin with - should I water her every time I notice the medium is pretty dry? Or do I keep her on the same schedule as my other phals and water once/week even if she's sitting in completely dry medium?

[Tim C.]

All orchids should be watered as their individual needs dictate - so if the one in recovery is getting dry, give it a good soaking.

Watering orchids has less to do - in my opinion - with forcing a schedule on your plants, and more to do with getting the right combination of potting mix, type of pot, and culture conditions. Once you get those keystones in place, you'll find the schedule makes itself.

BTW, the plant looks happy to me, so here's to hoping it makes a speedy recovery.

-Tim