Phalaenopsis orchid help!!

[Carpe Diem]

It could be worse. Looks like a 4 inch (diameter) pot will do. You could get a regular clay pot with a nice drainage hole. I get the plastic orchid pots from the net; just google "orchid supplies". You should soak your orchid bark in water for about 24 hrs. and then you're ready to pot. Put the orchid in the pot and fill with bark mix, keeping the one leaf above the mix. I push a bamboo skewer into the pot, half way between pot rim and plant. After about 5 days I pull out the skewer and touch it to my cheek. If the skewer is cool, moist = no watering. If the skewer is dry, almost dry = watering. Do not get water into the crown (the middle of the plant). If you do get water in there, dry it with paper towel, Q-tip.

This is what works for me. I hope it works for you! I also hope that the more experienced chime in with their advice.

[Cactuseed]

i think it would be better to get sphagnum moss and try the bag method to bring it back. Basically the bag method is wrap the plant in damp sphagnum moss; then seal in ziplock bag; then place in windowsill or under light (not too much).
Bark is a good medium but will not keep your plant constantly moist for it to come back to life

[mamasanlzn]

I am new too but I think if you get a 20oz soda bottle and cut the top off and put big holes in it would help. You would need to buy orchid bark.

[Poohbie]

Make sure u don't get any water in the crown or else, it would rot.

[Bulbofett]

The bag method has never worked for me out of the 4 times I've tried it. Always end up growing mold even with holes cut into the bag for ventilation.

My method involves getting some sphagnum moss and putting it in a small 2 inch pot, make sure the sphagnum is moist. Then place the orchid just on top of the moist sphag, don't actually pot it. Put that pot inside of a tupperware or similar tall container. You can choose to use a ziploc as a sort of lid, and then place in a really warm area with very little light.

This is just what's worked for me, but there are other members who do it differently. I added a picture so you can see how I did it.

[Kate_vannorman]

Here is what i picked up today


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[Kate_vannorman]

I'm current soaking the bark and will pot it tomorrow. I think the pot might be a bit too big but is that a major problem? When I pot it should run water over it to moisten the roots? Right now I have it siting on a wet paper towel to keep it damp till I can pot it( totally just made that up, doubt it's orchid kosher!)


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[Carpe Diem]

I am not familiar with that orchid mix, so can't comment on it. Yes, the pot is too big, but has lots of holes for air, that helps. I would just cover the bottom of the pot with mix, put the plant in and fill with mix up to the the green part of the Phal. The plant would sit low in the pot, but you wouldn't have a full pot of medium that takes to long to dry, thereby inviting root rot. Don't water after potting, the soaked bark mix will be wet enough. I wouldn't fertilize until there is a sign of new root growth. When you do fertilize, use half the dosage recommended on the package.
I have two mini Phals. I'm babying, because of root rot. I experimented by putting them in Sphagnum moss and it resulted in root rot. Other growers have great success with moss, but it's not for me. My two little ones are back in bark and I'm hoping for a complete recovery.
I wish you luck and don't get discouraged if things don't change as fast as you expect.

[quiltergal]

The pot is much too big for the one root you have. If you have some styrofoam peanuts you can pile those up in the bottom and put your bark on top. Seaweed extract like KelpMax can stimulate new root growth. Good luck!

[jasonmom]

I bought the same pot and think it is very pretty. Would give advise, but I'm really new. Your plant has much more roots than a few I've got (I've only bought rescue plants). From what I understand the roots are the most important part. One has no roots from what I can tell and it's still alive about 1 1/2 months later.

People on here are great and help a lot.

Here is wishing you luck.