Thats it I've had it!

[SlipperGirl]

I have had it with this phrag no matter what I do it does not seem to be happy! So here I am with a sad looking phrag and in need of some help. What should I do to help this poor guy. Its down to only one good root and as you can see the leaves are horrible looking.

[Optimist]

Gosh! What are your choices? Toss. sphag and bag. Semi hydro.

It has been proven by the many who have been successful that new roots will grow under certain circumstances. Crown rot is a reason to give up on an orchid. Rootlessness. Cut the old roots off except the one good root. Put in a fine media, and keep well hydrated.

[silken]

Do you know what type of Phrag it is? In the first few pics it looks way too dry compared to how I grow mine. Maybe the picture is deceiving. I keep all of mine submerged in an inch or so of water. They prefer very light feeding compared to other orchids. Are you keeping it constantly wet?

I would add some seaweed to its water for the next while. Run water thru it very thoroughly, then water it with seaweed water and have it in a dish with about 1 inch of seaweed water solution all the time.

I think I use a bit denser mix also, although what you have may not be a problem if it is holding moisture well. I use a mix of medium bark, large perlite, charcoal and often some leca balls and a bit of moss.

[The Orchid Boy]

What Phrag is it? Caudatum and hybrids like to be somewhat wet, pearcei and hybrids love to be submerged...

[Lilac]

I sphag on top of bark on everything now! Works wonders! Especially the Phals. they LOVE it! I got roots GALORE WITH THIS!

The leaves are nice and green though! Maybe a little more moss and some more humidity. It looks dry sorta. I would give it a little more root room and moss and humidity. Good luck.

[james mickelso]

Well it certainly doesn't look good. Sometimes we just have to say, "uncle" and try something else. With the roots looking like this I would toss it (did I say that????!!!!!). Unless you are a glutton for punishment, I would get another orchid and try again. Sorry. The roots die long before the leaves in most cases.

[Bud]

James is right. Toss it. It is dead.... on the last picture I don't see anything living only rot on all the roots....the new growth on the very edge has signs of rot at its base....

[Phal grower]

I'd cut dead roots off, if you know for sure they're dead. Then shpag-n-bag. If you have to trim some of the older leaves off to make it fit in a baggie then do it. I never give up unless I run out of room so, nothing to lose right? Keep it out of direct sun and after that I would try keeping it a little more moist.

[jeremyinsf]

If I remember correctly from our private messages before the holidays, this is your Sorcerer's Apprentice. And you weren't happy with the condition of the roots and plant to start with.

My suggestion - if you are willing to let go of the plant - don't blame yourself, and move on. There are lots of other Phrags in the world, and you can even get another one of these from a different source when you can find one live in person, instead of doing the mail order again. I suggest the next one be much more established when you start with it.

Sometimes, plants just don't work out. I know you have put a lot of effort into it - but it might be time to move past it.

[OCRC_Dir_China]

You have nothing to lose by trying to save it, trim the dead and hope for the new.