Second opinion on my wilting phal!

[EricaMarie]

The dry part I would think is just where the old leaves have fallen from. If thats what the roots are connected to, I would leave it.

[james mickelso]

Cut the spikes, dust the cuts with cinnamon, place tqhe phal in a cup and loosely, very loosely place some moss around the roots. And I mean loosely. When the moss dries out, mist it till it is just damp. Also spray with SW extract. As long as the moss is very loose, fungus won't get a hold. Fungus doesn't like fresh air. Once a week, take the phal out of the cup and dunk it in some SW extract. Put back in cup and place moss loosely around the roots. And I mean loosely. The leaves won't plump up again but they are still photosynthesizing just fine. Here is one that is doing well. When I got it the leaves were hanging down flat. But it is now doing just fine.

[butterfly_muse]

I agree cut the spikes and dust them with cinnamon to keep fungus away. DO NOT CINNAMON THE ROOTS. O_O! They will be dessicated.

And for what it' worth, firstrays.com's kelpmax is a freaking miracle worker (at least for my 'chids). I had several clearance phals that I dunked in that after Dyna Gro's rooting hormone didn't do anything at all, and my plants have taken off like weeds! They're mounted, but they are going insane with the roots! I think that would definitely help you! (These are 2 separate plants that I have dunked several times over the last few months ^__^ They are giving me new leaves AND new roots Huzzah!)

[Apricot]

Much thanks, everyone! I've taken off the spikes, sprinkled cinnamon, kept the humidifier on and left it in the container with a sponge. I'm ordering some seaweed extract. The kelpmax is also a seaweed extract, right? I think at this point I'll be ordering the one that will ship the fastest to me.

[kindrag23]

Lol! I think kelpmax is carried by some big box brand I think saw it home depot. Mine does not carry it but others might.

[Apricot]

Aha! Just as long as it's a fertilizer made from seaweed/kelp right? I see some listed at the home depot's website.

[kindrag23]

I cant help u on that. But i use gro more so idk of that brands effectiveness

[Apricot]

Mmm. Thanks again. James_mickelso mentioned that the leaves won't return to their original plumpness. How would I know what I'm doing is working and/or that the plant is fine, overall?

[butterfly_muse]

Ray sends stuff pretty quickly you'll get your order within a few days I think.

You'll know if the plant starts giving you new roots and leaves. At least from my experience. But I'm not really that good with phals so I might let someone else answer lol... Like James. XD

[james mickelso]

It will grow new leaves and roots when it is ready. This took a couple months. It was dry to the touch. I didn't think it woukld pull through. I had older pics but my HD crashed and I didn't have backup. The top three leaVES AND THE NEW GROWTH ARE what is new. Just be patient. If you cut any roots, dust just the end of the root on the cut. It will seal that cut and not allow any bad guys to get in.

---------- Post added at 09:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 PM ----------

Phals hold their energy reserves in their leaves and roots as they don't have pbulbs. The leaves will droop when those reserves have been used and won't replump. But they are still photosynthesizing so care for them just like they are plump. The reason I suggest placing moss around the roots is because the sponge isn't really keeping the micro environment humid. but the moss acts like a matrix keeping the air around the roots very humid. But I'm talking loosely. Put the phal down into the cup or pot and then put small wads of moss down in between the roots. Then just pray them enough to dampen them. If you want to you can also spray the bottom of the leaves as that is where their stomata are and they can absorb moisture through them.