Black mush in Phalaenopsis base?

[DweamGoiL]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

I think that rot looks pretty far into the base of the plant, if you cut too much there might be nothing left.

I agree. That is why I mentioned scooping out some of it. Cut the least amount possible and scoop out the rest. Either way, it may be too far gone already.

[artixmartz]

Originally Posted by DweamGoiL

I agree. That is why I mentioned scooping out some of it. Cut the least amount possible and scoop out the rest. Either way, it may be too far gone already.

I could try to scoop out as much as I can without leaving the entire plant with nothing, and then apply some alcohol (which is what I have here) and cinnamon on top and wait? I think it's the only option I have to try save it.

[DweamGoiL]

Originally Posted by artixmartz

I could try to scoop out as much as I can without leaving the entire plant with nothing, and then apply some alcohol (which is what I have here) and cinnamon on top and wait? I think it's the only option I have to try save it.

Let us know how it goes

[Optimist]

Are there any root bumps above that point? They occur in a "halo" at the base of the root system under the leaves. In last ditch cases, I have removed leaves up to the place where root bumps stop. It really looks like you did everything correctly. The plant looks in good condition. I am wondering if a boring insect started that cavity. If this may be the case, drying it out, using an anti fungicide might get your plant limping back to health. You would really need to wait a few years till that old area got "grown off."

[artixmartz]

Good news, I managed to take all of the black mush off and it's still standing!



The second leaf that had started going yellow had to go, though. I applied alcohol and cinnamon powder after that. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Now my question is, is that black thing around the roots more rot? Could that be where it started? It's not mush or anything, it's actually like really tiny, crunchy leaves that didn't develop? I don't know how to explain it, but it's not mushy. Do phal's crowns usually look dark like that where the roots start? I remember it was like that when I first bought it. Just to give my mind a bit of peace.

Oh, and also, when I started cutting I noticed a couple of tiny insects running around. I've seen them also through the plastic pot a couple of times before. :/ Should I worry? They are minuscule.

Optimist, what do you mean about root bumps exactly?

[wintergirl]

It actually looks good. Don't cut any of the dark around the roots, that sound be ok, it looks dried. There might be a chance after all. If you having insects you may want to repot. Try to get every piece of old bark off and get rid of the old bark out of the house. You can spray the roots with peroxide, let sit for a little while then rinse off with water. You can wipe the leaves off with a rubbing alcohol moistened paper towel if you think the bugs are on the leaves. I would probably put cinnamon just on the fleshy part of the stem where you cut. Don't get cinnamon on the roots, as it dries them out. Then either repot in clean media, or keep bare rooted for a few days, it's up to you. Maybe someone else has some other/more advice.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I would worry about the bugs later. Keep it DRY - no water, no rinsing. Peroxide is a water-based solution, I would skip that, you might be OK trying the alcohol.

With situations like this, I find that cutting followed by a dry rest is most beneficial. I don't treat beyond that.

[DweamGoiL]

I think you did a fantastic job. Keep it dry and let it recover. It should be fine

[artixmartz]

Thank you for all the advice, everyone!

I will keep it dry and see if it recovers. If it does, I will consider repotting then to get rid of all the bugs.

[artixmartz]

So upon further inspection today, I noticed two or three bugs running around over the cinnamon powder. I had to cut a bit more of the base that had turned slightly black, and after rubbing alcohol over it and the cinnamon powder again to kill the damn bugs, I saw the black rot from the center I had got off the other day had somehow spread. I tried to get it off too but it looks like it's far further into the plant and I didn't want to cut all the crown. I'm losing hope, to be honest, and I will just let it do its thing from now on and see if it recovers by itself (which I doubt).

Could the bugs have done this?