What media to use for rootless phal?

[lauraeli]

Originally Posted by Dante1709

I don't own Thiomyl (or any antifungal for that matter), hydroton, sponge rock or kelp . I've only been growing orchids for a while now and since my collection is small, I haven't bothered getting anything I don't feel is necessary.

I have some lava rock and larger chunks of bark though, and I have some willows nearby I can use to help with rooting. I'd just rather be able to keep an eye on the roots and since it was previously in a dry climate, I think that keeping it mounted or in a vase would limit anymore rot. When I get access to the rooting hormone and some anti-fungal product, I might consider repotting some well-draining mix.

I'm wondering if the method above is safe, or if I should just repot it immediately? Would not having any media be detrimental or cause any other problems?

Here's Stubby. The only roots he had when I got him were aerial roots. Because they were used to the dryness of the air, they rotted after I buried them in the pot. When I made the decision to unpot him, he had one root left, an inch long. This is his home since then- a large vase with wet sphagnum on the bottom. He is mounted on a stick which rests inside the vase. He began active growth shortly afterwards. I dunk him in water every other day for 10 minutes.

So, it works :-) It helps that I moved him to the east window at the same time. The higher light helped encourage new growth.

Obviously, it is more of a temporary measure. Now that he has a couple new roots (and a new leaf), I have to think about potting him up.

I just cant make up my mind what growing medium to use!

Last picture shows his little stubby root.

[Ray]

Dante - Moving those plants from dry to wet was not due to the wetness, it was due to the environment changing, so those old roots were no longer functioning adequately. That happens with any change.

When you have a healthy phal, what do you grow it in? Pot up the new ones the same way, as that's what works best for you.

Then, to prevent desiccation while they grow new roots for that new environment, invert a clear plastic bag over the plant and pot to maximize the RH around it, keep it shady and very warm.

[Dante1709]

So I should repot it normally? I supposed I could, just in a smaller pot. I'll try to keep the humidity up if possible.

Here's the photo I promised. As you can see, it has some small roots with a few burns (not from my care), a new leaf coming out and wrinkles on the old leaves. It's lost a leaf and I believe it will be losing another soon.


Untitled by Dante1709, on Flickr

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Too tricky to pot. Lots of things can happen.

I suggest leaving it in the vase and pumping the vapors from a warm mist humidifier. You will see results, and fast, (considering it is growing season right now in the northern hemisphere).

[Dante1709]

I found some nice wild willow, stripped the leaves and I'm currently infusing water with a bunch of young tender branches. I plan on soaking the orchid (and a few other plants that could use some roots) in the solution.

I think I'll try wrapping the little amount of Spaghnum I have around the roots with the solution as well, but I still plan on keeping it around the pitcher under a clear plastic bag.

[topiarybud]

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[james mickelso]

Lauraeli posted some great pictures and showed in the pictures what she did with Stumpy. What she did worked and worked quite well. I would do the same thing. The proof is in the pictures. We can all tell you what we would do but Lauraeli showed you what actually worked. I'd follow her example.

[Dante1709]

While I do consider the leaves to be floppy and wrinkly (they are ; the photo doesn't do it justice since the plant is resting), I suppose a nice bark/lava rock mix won't hurt. I'll just water it with willow water to stimulate some root growth and possibly keep it bagged up.

Thanks to everyone for stopping by through this process ; I have a tendency to get a little stressed out when an orchid isn't doing it's best and I think that having reassurance and advice helps.