Damn it...broke the crown off a phal

[Suzanne17]

Just broke the crown off a phal. Will I never learn to stop messing with my plants? It has healthy roots and one leaf. This is what's in the crown area. What can I do to try to keep it alive? Several of those small round areas are firm and I wonder if they were new roots or possible spikes.





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[WhiteRabbit]

Yikes! What does the broken off part look like?

This piece could start new basal growth ...

[billc]

Yikes is right. I've broken a lot of flower stalks in my time but have never inflicted that kind of damage. The remaining leaf looks pretty sad also, maybe the plant is just very weak.

Bill

[Suzanne17]

The broken off part was a yellowed leaf and two new leaves . I was trying to clear debris from an even older leaf that had fallen off- dried material- and this happened. The bottom leaves (the remaining one included) were the originals from when I rescued the plant last year and were always limp and wrinkled. The new leaves were lovely and turgid. I'm very sad.


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[Leafmite]

I did this to a Phal equestris. I was pulling off an old leaf and the crown came with it. I was so frustrated, I threw mine into the nearby shrubbery and could not again find it. I ended up buying a new one. So, while I can offer you a little sympathy, I cannot really offer any advice on how to save it. However, buying a new orchid can be a very rewarding and happy experience.

[Suzanne17]

I'm on a six month moratorium. the one nubbin is a spike, I think. So mad at myself! Will hope for a basal keiki. It's a NOID but I love it. It looked like a Nassau.


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[katrina]

OUCH! My condolences. I feel your pain because (no offense) but I'm rather clumsy myself. My personal expertise being in breaking new growths off my cattleyas.

[MattWoelfsen]

Dejavue all over again <S>

Back in my early days of orchid fascination, I was cleaning up a Phalaenopsis exactly as you described. I tugged at this one leaf sheaf of dead leaf too hard and pulled the entire plant apart.

It took me ten minutes to finally come to my senses.

I threw the broken part out. But I kept the pot and the remaining leaf--to remind myself not to fuss over everything about these plants. And then applied Leafmite's Solution for Orchid Planticide: bought another one.

I kept the survivor as it showed good roots. About a month later, and many stories told to visiting friends as to why I am keeping a "dead" plant, said dead plant produced a tiny leaf.

Resurrection!

This might not happen to your plant, but if the roots are healthy...there is hope.

[Suzanne17]

The roots are huge and green and so I will forbear. Should I keep it away from sun though? Or give it a little mini greenhouse with a plastic bag? Or should I learn my lesson and leave the poor thing alone...oog.

I just hate having dead sheafs (sheaves?) around because I have found mealies hanging out there in other plants. So I always remove them. Oof, that was an awful feeling.


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[Leafmite]

As the roots are good, you won't need to do anything special. Just treat it as you have been. Warmth will encourage growth.
Clumsiness. I broke a spike off my Burr. Nelly Isler last week. Thankfully, it has at least one more.