Any hope for this phalaenopsis? - Orchid Board

thepiecesfit · #1 08-16-2013, 12:45 PM

Hey everyone been browsing these boards recently and have a dying Phal that I was hoping to get some pointers with. Possibly no hope for it but I figured it would not hurt to ask.

Some history about this guy, has been in sphagnum moss for like two years. The roots have all but rotted away. I have tried to get it established in several mediums but its not taking. Tried bark and now hydroton. I made the mistake of planting aerial roots in the hydroton and they all rotted.

Present day I have one aerial root that I have been misting and prepped the plant up with bamboo sticks. I have tried the sphag and bag method early this week only to notice mold accumulating after three days. I immediately pulled the bag off and rinsed with hydrogen peroxide. Seems like the mold did not eat away at it yet.

Is there any hope for this phal? I know its gone through some abuse. I have kelpmax and looking for some advice.

thepiecesfit · #2 08-16-2013, 12:58 PM

Sorry forgot to attach the pics.

RosieC · #3 08-16-2013, 01:05 PM

There is hope I think, but you may loose further leaves before it recovers.

I would do like you are doing and keep misting the arial root on a daily basis. I would put hydroton in the pot to just under the arial root. Keep the hydroton moist so new roots can grow down into it. Mist the arial root daily to keep the plant as hydrated as possible.

I would expect that any new leaves will grow in a lot smaller to the existing ones.

I have a couple I have rescued with only one or two arial roots (one tinier than the root on yours) in this way. New roots are growing down into the hydroton well.

thepiecesfit · #4 08-16-2013, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

There is hope I think, but you may loose further leaves before it recovers.

I would do like you are doing and keep misting the arial root on a daily basis. I would put hydroton in the pot to just under the arial root. Keep the hydroton moist so new roots can grow down into it. Mist the arial root daily to keep the plant as hydrated as possible.

I would expect that any new leaves will grow in a lot smaller to the existing ones.

I have a couple I have rescued with only one or two arial roots (one tinier than the root on yours) in this way. New roots are growing down into the hydroton well.

In that case I may need another clear pot. I think the struggle I also had was the bamboo stick and base was rotting /molding in the hydroton. If not the bamboo what can I use to attach the orchid to? Obviously it is a little top heavy and securing it can be a bit difficult. I was also considering to fill the existing pot with loose sphagnum moss and bark.

RosieC · #5 08-16-2013, 02:45 PM

Personally I wouldn't use sphag and bark as it's so easy for the air flow to get blocked with those. Hydroton on it's own keeps good air flow but dries quicker generally. That is actually it's advantage for me when saving an orchid, because you can water often with plenty of air flow so rot is less likely.

A wooden/bamboo spike supporting it is likely to rot, though I've not found that particularly causes a problem for the orchid as it grows new roots. I've also used plastic name tags to tie the plant too, to keep it stable.

thepiecesfit · #6 08-16-2013, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

Personally I wouldn't use sphag and bark as it's so easy for the air flow to get blocked with those. Hydroton on it's own keeps good air flow but dries quicker generally. That is actually it's advantage for me when saving an orchid, because you can water often with plenty of air flow so rot is less likely.

A wooden/bamboo spike supporting it is likely to rot, though I've not found that particularly causes a problem for the orchid as it grows new roots. I've also used plastic name tags to tie the plant too, to keep it stable.

Rosie, followed your advice thanks. I propped the orchid up with a plastic fork with the same wire I had on the bamboo and into the hydroton it went. I poured in some water with Kelpmax and secured it in the medium. Do you recommend misting the aerial roots with any sort of fertilizer or just regular water that sits overnight?

Attaching a pic of the redo. Hopefully this works!

RosieC · #7 08-17-2013, 03:57 AM

I would mist with plain water most of the time with fertiliser one a week, either misted or poured over.

euplusia · #8 08-17-2013, 06:40 AM

Despite of a lack of roots (except one) the plant looks well and not dehydrated. It looks good in the hydroton. You have done right and now you have to be patient.

james mickelso · #9 08-17-2013, 07:47 AM

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.

RosieC · #10 08-17-2013, 08:20 AM

Agree with James. Or rain water if you can collect it.