What media to use for rootless phal?

[Dante1709]

A month or so ago, I received some sick phals from a relative, and I was determined to save them. This one phal in particular was potted in bark, and desiccated from under-watering. I repotted, cut the old roots and let it be. It has a new leaf growing,but I unpotted today to see only 7 old (not so green, but alive) stubby roots, but still no new ones. It turns out, the transition from dry to moist killed off some roots.

What should I pot it in? I don't have any sphagnum and I'm afraid to kill the poor thing by keeping it in bark. I was thinking about leaving it in a glass vase, with the roots sitting above (not touching) water, kind of like some people do with vandas. Would this work?

I'll try to upload a photo when I get a chance

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Do not use Sphag.

Keep the orchid warm and humid, and leave it to do its thing. If it's strong enough to make, it will.

---------- Post added at 03:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:34 PM ----------

Do not sit the living root(s) too close to the water, the root(s) could start growing into it and could kill it off over time.

Grow in a small aquarium or a salad bowl, (someplace with a good amount of space to keep the plant in), and keep warm and humid.

Phals don't usually grow as upright as Vandas do, so a vase could be too small.

[Dante1709]

I'm keeping it in a wide-mouthed vase. The roots sit an inch above the water, but I'll be regularly checking to make sure they don't go in the water. I'm making sure to mist the roots when needed, because my humidity (outdoors and indoors) is only around 45%.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you ever get busy in your life, you could just buy yourself a warm mist humidifier, and pump the vase with the vapors. Does the same thing.

[judith_arquette]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

If you ever get busy in your life, you could just buy yourself a warm mist humidifier, and pump the vase with the vapors. Does the same thing.

You gave me the same advice last December (minus the vase part) and I directly attribute me getting one to the success I had throughout the winter in my poor, compromised Phals surviving and flourishing. GREAT investment!

[WhiteRabbit]

How long are the roots on it? It can take some time before there is new root growth.

[lauraeli]

Originally Posted by Dante1709

I'm keeping it in a wide-mouthed vase. The roots sit an inch above the water, but I'll be regularly checking to make sure they don't go in the water. I'm making sure to mist the roots when needed, because my humidity (outdoors and indoors) is only around 45%.

Instead of water, you can use damp sphagnum in the bottom of the vase. That's what I do with Stubby (he has 3 roots now)

[Dante1709]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

How long are the roots on it? It can take some time before there is new root growth.

There are around 8 roots, varying from 1 inch to 4 inches in size. They are a greenish colour, so they aren't the healthiest. A few have some burn-looking black marks on the one side.

[HighSeas]

The plant is obviously stressed. Stressed plants are subject to fungal attacks so I'd most likely soak it in Thiomyl for about 15 minutes. (Thiomyl is a systemic) From there....I'd repot it in a good quality bark mixed with hydroton and sponge rock. Wait about a week before watering it and then water it down good with Kelp. For the next month or so...I'd only water with Kelp at a rate of 1 Tbsp per gallon. This will stimulate the little guy to grow roots. You want to get some of those before winter sets in.

[Dante1709]

Originally Posted by HighSeas

The plant is obviously stressed. Stressed plants are subject to fungal attacks so I'd most likely soak it in Thiomyl for about 15 minutes. (Thiomyl is a systemic) From there....I'd repot it in a good quality bark mixed with hydroton and sponge rock. Wait about a week before watering it and then water it down good with Kelp. For the next month or so...I'd only water with Kelp at a rate of 1 Tbsp per gallon. This will stimulate the little guy to grow roots. You want to get some of those before winter sets in.

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?