Need help with noid phals! Root rot and leaf discoloration

[mimigirl]

Great post. Very informative answers.

[Lingshen]

Update! This weekend I picked up some better grow phalaenopsis mix, soaked it overnight, and repotted the 3 phals.

The mini phal, which has basically no roots, seems to be doing well despite that. It has what I think is a new spike growing, considering cutting it off now so it doesn't waste its energy. I put it in a clear plastic pot I made out of one of those fizzy fruity drinks. I put holes on the bottom as well as the sides. I haven't added any fertilizer, but considering getting some kelp max. Good idea? Better ideas?

As for the two larger plants, the #3 has some good looking roots and fit snugly into one of the tiny pots I had laying around. I plan to get everyone into a clear pot eventually, but I figure a smaller pot with a better media is much better than what it was in previously. Leaves are a little wilty..hoping it perks up a bit.



#4 also went into a tiny pot, but this one doesn't have as many good roots as the other. It has two flower spikes that are so heavy I had a hard time balancing it lol. I did see a new root forming so that is good news!! Leaves are also a little wilty and that weird spot is still on one of the lower leaves. (Pictured in first post)



So, I looked at the temps in my window this morning and it was 64 I do have a heating mat I could stick in the window, good idea? It gets to about 70 during the day but I'm worried the low temps aren't helping. Aside from buying a space heater there is really nothing I can do to raise temps in this room as there is no radiator. Its already in the teens here in Chicago and they say its going to be another bad winter . I know the heating mat will do little to heat the air, but should help keep the roots warm.

It really sucks because my bedroom/living room is blazing hot and my kitchen is like, normal temp, almost too cold. Ugh!

[RandomGemini]

Can you put a small table or shelf in front of the window? They should be fine as long as they are not sitting too close to the window and don't come into direct contact with the glass. I grow my mini phals next to a window year round, but my windows are double paned.

[Lingshen]

Well the window is directly above my only kitchen counter. The sill is quite wide and I can fit them there without touching the glass. I live in an old building and while I do have old school double panes (one slides down behind the screen and then the actual window) it only does so much to keep the cold air out. Perhaps I can try throwing some extra weather stripping on the window. The air gap in between the panes should help more than it does :/

Here is an older picture of my kitchen. I do have these ledge things that are about 8 feet from the window. I just want to make sure they are getting enough light. I could move them further back and get them on a heat mat.

[RandomGemini]

My phals haven't had an issue going as low as the 60s at night, so I think it's probably fine as long as it doesn't get significantly colder. I would worry about it, if the temp on that window sill drops into the 50s and below. Not sure you will need the heating mat, but it might be a good idea to have one on hand.

You might want to consider the possibility of growing these under lights as well. This is an older pic of my growing setup and you could do something similar. The oncidiums on the lower rack get no natural daylight at all. They're supplied with light entirely by the T5s.

[Lingshen]

I don't think it would ever drop into the 50's. I'm trying to mess around with a fan to see if I can't get more warm air into the kitchen. If it ever drops into the 50's I'm calling my landlord because technically, that is illegal for it to get that cold inside an apartment. I feel like once upon a time there was a radiator in my kitchen under the counter, but I have no clue where it went or why they would take it out. Hmmm

Nice setup! I do have a wire shelf very similar to that, I think its actually bigger lol. Right now I have a ton of boxes stored on it so I would have to find somewhere else for all that stuff to live if I planned on using it for plants. I do have some T8's (4). At least, I think they are T8s. Only think I worry about is fitting the whole plant under there, spike and all. I suppose they should fit.. I'll have to play around with it.

[RandomGemini]

My shelving unit has adjustable shelves. If it's similar, you should be able to do the same.

I sized the bottom one to fit my Oncidium Sharry Baby, which used to be the largest of my oncidiums... now I have three others that are bigger than it. Oh man... I just realized I may not be able to fit them all on the shelves if they all go out of bloom at the same time. I spread my orchids that are in bloom all over my house. When the flowers fade, then I return them to my growing rack. LOL!

Good grief... I think I might have a slight orchid problem.

[Lingshen]

Oh yeah its got adjustable shelves, its just super annoying to actually adjust them. I grow herbs and start veggies inside during the spring so that's why I have this whole rig.

You need a bigger shelf! Lol!!!

[RandomGemini]

Yeah, I do need a bigger shelf. LOL!