Hospitalised Phal growing medium

[MissVix]

Hello everyone

Firstly, thanks to everyone for lots of information - I've been reading a lot of the forum posts over the last few months.

I am relatively new to keeping plants, and a total newbie to orchids, though I'm doing lots of reading and hopefully plenty of learning.

I've been given the remnants of a Phal which took some severe frost damage (broken heating whilst the owner was on holiday). Subsequently it's lost all its roots and all but one small leaf.

I'm not expecting it to survive, but would like to give it a good try whilst it seems to be hanging on. If it's going to try and survive, I'll sure as hell give it a hand if I can.

It's been given to me in a clear pot nestled between pebbles - no moss, bark or other substrate at all. I've been told to give it a regular trickle of water.

However, I bow to your superior knowledge. Should I use something a little more...well...soft? I was considering moss or bark but didn't know if this would actually keep it too damp and restrict root growth?

I've given the little mite a bath in home-made food (sugar/alcohol/epsom salts/etc) and rinsed in water. I have immediate access to a coconut-husk-based potting medium (very light/aerated) and am happy to order in anything suggested.

Any advice gratefully received

[SlipperGirl]

Welcome to OB

If the phal does not have any roots then you may need to try sphag n bag, if you could post pictures of it that would be great (you need 5 post to post pictures)

[MissVix]

Thanks for the advice. I was reading about sphag and bag. At the moment I've placed the pot in a tray of water and used a little clear plastic dome over the top of the plantlet to try and maintain humidity.

As the days are very short here at the moment I've made sure it's got a lamp as well so it gets 10-12 hours of light.

I can take a picture though I'm sure everyone will laugh at me for trying to keep such a crumb of a plant alive.... ;-)