Any hope for this phalaenopsis?

[thepiecesfit]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Good rescue so far. But I would spend the money on a bottle of distilled water. And water you use when it dries on the root will leave behind a little of whatever dissolved solids are in it. After awhile this can cause a problem with absorption by the root. Like salt build up. This phal is in very fragile condition and is supporting the entire plant. Just a precaution. Here in SoCal our water is so high in dissolved solids, calcium/magnesium/chlorides that it leaves lots of salt deposits on pots.

Will pick up some distilled water thanks. Today just used some water from our brita pitcher. Would you think some change may be noticed in a month or two? I know orchids grow really slowly.

I suppose my next question would be with cooler days approaching would it be a good idea to pick up a heating matt? I know Ray reccommends it for stimulating root growth.

[RosieC]

It depends on your ambient temps in the winter, but where I am I find that with a Phal in S/H it can be a good idea to have a heat mat.

I hadn't noticed earlier that you are doing S/H. I actually use the hydroton as a standard medium in many cases as well as doing S/H in others. I keep my Phals without the reservoir in the cooler weather. They do well in just hydroton without the reservoir. The always damp hydroton when you have a reservoir has a high level of evaporation which causes a cooling affect. If your ambient temperature is not warm enough the temperature drop this causes can be a problem for phals and causes death of the roots when it get's too bad. I lost a phal this way.

This can be overcome either with a heat mat, or by watering the hydroton more like a conventional medium and allowing it to dry slightly more in between. I used to use a heat mat, but now with most of my phals in hydroton I just can't keep them all on heat mats, so I don't keep the reservoir full and water and drain like a standard medium. I grow non-phals with the reservoir, some of the plants that are happy slightly cooler, but phals need a bit more warmth than than I can give for that.

[thepiecesfit]

Phal doesnt seem to be doing too well. Dropped another leaf and the next one is yellowing. The base also seems to be blackening. I think its safe to assume this one will be leaving us.

[james mickelso]

Sorry about that. Sometimes orchids are gone already when we think there is hope. Because they are slow growers they are gone but we look at them and hope. Get another one and let us help you learn to grow them correctly.

[thepiecesfit]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Sorry about that. Sometimes orchids are gone already when we think there is hope. Because they are slow growers they are gone but we look at them and hope. Get another one and let us help you learn to grow them correctly.

Thanks I have been lurking here for a while and picked up some good tips. I have managed to save another in a bark mix. Its growing new roots and leaves. Hoping to have a spike by spring. Will shop around for another orchid and try to keep it healthier!

[RosieC]

Dropping leaves after root loss can be normal, but blackening at the base is not good, and with so few roots and leaves I'm afraid I agree with James. Sorry

[thepiecesfit]

Decided to go to Whole Foods and pick up a new one. This one came in bark and a clear pot inside a clay pot. Although the bark is a bit decomposed in the middle, I think I wont repot until the bloom is done.There are many healthy green roots. Plus some buds that have not yet flowered. As an added bonus they gave you the little one when buying the 5".

Mounted it in the bathroom, seems like these days only good place besides the living room for ample light. The trees in the back yard are pretty much blocking all the light during the summer. Its nice and diffused should be happy there. The humidity from hot showers should not harm it right? Just wondering. We can probably retire this thread after

[RandomGemini]

It depends on your climate, I think. Where I live, it's not very humid at all, so a friend of mine keeps her orchid in her bathroom, just like you do. It's been thriving there for years. If you live in a particular dry spot of the country, the bathroom could be the perfect place!

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Hello
A month ago I went to Key West and to Marc House, famous KW spot for orchids purchases. I heard from my friends living there they DO SELL always all orchids out of bloom for peanuts! True, I scored Phals for $4!!! they had dozens of them. Purchased 5, just for a fun and the price, got back home, and when taking them out of the pots - I do mount nearly all my phals now - one was nearly exactly like yours! All the roots inside gone, except one, much worse than yours! Mounted on the cork slab and the only thing I am doing is misting it every 2nd day, once with water only, once with weak seaweed mix! Must say, seaweed does the miracles for me, I see already new root pushing through!!!! I would suggest if you can get some seaweed use it! Good luck and fingers crossed, your leaves look great so I think it will make it!!!

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials