Questions about Phal in recovery?

[butterfly_muse]

Hi guys! I have a baby phal which I have soaked in some KLN a couple times in an effort to encourage it to grow new roots. It only has two good roots, and as a result the leaves are drying up and withering. The roots it does have, however, are green and plump and seem to be doing well.

I was wondering how long it would be before I start to see new root growth?

I repotted the plant into a small, compact plastic container with slits on the sides and holes on the bottom for drainage, and it's in a bark/peat/charcoal mix. It seems happy overall other than the leaves it seems to be determined to drop.

Is there a way I can encourage it to be more hydrated in the mean time? I mist all of my orchids in the morning since it's dry in the house, and I have a bamboo skewer in the medium that I check daily. When it's dry I soak the plant.

Also, I was wondering if I can cut the yellow leaves? One has turned completely yellow and feels papery. How would I cut that? Should I put cinnamon on any leaves I cut after I do so? Will it harm the plant or shock it in any way?

Thanks!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Usually, the warmth of spring, (although, this spring has been rather cool...), and summer should entice speedier growth to occur.

To keep it more hydrated, increase humidity. You can get a cool mist humidifier and make sure the mist goes under the leaves.

[escualida]

I wouldn't cut off the leaves, they'll fall off on their own eventually, in the meantime they could be providing nourishment.

[birdybrain]

I've only had orchids for a short time, but I rescued many clearance orchids so I'm dealing with a similar situation. I've had an orchid take several weeks to put out significant root growth after a KLM soak. To increase humidity around the plant I placed a plastic bag over the plant, pot & all with a small bowl of water inside the bag next to the pot. I used a fruit/veg bag from the grocery store if I didn't have an actual clear bag. I just leave the bag loose around the bottom & check it daily. I also keep the potting medium nice & moist. If there is condensation on the inside I the bag I turn it inside out & leave an edge of the bag propped up to allow some humidity to escape. My goal being to keep humidity in without any condensation on the bag. I also uncover the plants daily for a couple hours only so they can breathe. Inspect once or twice daily, because the last thing you want is to cause further problems.

I've also removed the lowest green leaf or two on a phal just to give the other leaves more of a chance when there are only a small amount of roots. I always treat with cinnamon.

So far 2 of the 3 potted orchids I've had in little tents have recovered and are doing nicely. The third is just now starting to do better after about 8 weeks or more.

Good luck with your little fellow!

[butterfly_muse]

Okay, I might try that. =) I also have a cool air humidifier, but I use it for myself, lol. I might have to just transport it back and forth between rooms in the house, as the humidity would probably benefit all of my phals.

Thank you

[Seewah86]

Originally Posted by birdybrain

To increase humidity around the plant I placed a plastic bag over the plant, pot & all with a small bowl of water inside the bag next to the pot. I used a fruit/veg bag from the grocery store if I didn't have an actual clear bag. I just leave the bag loose around the bottom & check it daily. I also keep the potting medium nice & moist. If there is condensation on the inside I the bag I turn it inside out & leave an edge of the bag propped up to allow some humidity to escape. My goal being to keep humidity in without any condensation on the bag. I also uncover the plants daily for a couple hours only so they can breathe. Inspect once or twice daily, because the last thing you want is to cause further problems.

I'm wondering how added humidity and keeping the medium moist doesn't lead to root rot. I'm trying to save a phal with few roots due to root rot. I would like to try this method but what's keeping the poor little guys from rotting again in this instance? I feel like maybe I'm missing something.

[james mickelso]

Roots rot due to a bacterial or fungal attack. As long as there is air flow through the potting media there should be no rot. Within the potting media the roots have high humidity and this helps the plant not dehydrate (lose water through the roots). Root rot rears it's ugly head when there is no air flow through the potting media like when moss has been used and is either breaking down or is packed too tightly around the roots thereby inhibiting air flow. Or a fine media of some kind has been used causing the same conditions.

[Wild Orchid]

Originally Posted by Seewah86

I'm wondering how added humidity and keeping the medium moist doesn't lead to root rot. I'm trying to save a phal with few roots due to root rot. I would like to try this method but what's keeping the poor little guys from rotting again in this instance? I feel like maybe I'm missing something.

I agree, it's a battle - while we're trying to encourage root growth by adding humidity, bacteria that attacks the root or what's left of it loves it too.

I found that attaching a Phal to a pot, letting it dry completely and misting the base a few times a day works better than spag-n-bag method, at least for me.

Mind you, the leaves suffer as well because they don't have enough humidity through roots. So they have to be misted on the underside as well.

I also wrap some loose moss around the base and let it dry, then moisten again.

In combination, this method works in 70-80% for me.

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[WhiteRabbit]

How long are the good roots?

Myself, I would mostly just care for it as usual (for a Phal) and try to be patient. Keeping it warm may help.

[Seewah86]

Thanks for your response! I'm using my phone right now so sorry if this seems short. The nicest root is 2 inches. There are three others that are half an inch to an inch. There are one or two right in the center of the base that are about three quarters of an inch. Not too terrible from what I understand but it had such long beautiful roots before.

Edit: Added some pictures. 1st one is straight out of the pot. 2nd one is after removing most of the rotted roots. A few of the ones you see look kind of good in the picture but they were actually mushy like the rest of them.