HELP! Bad root problem

[katfemme89]

I have four phals... the first one I bought isn't doing too well, though. It is in bloom and it looks very beautiful, but there are three buds that are slightly bloomed but are taking very long to bloom fully, so I inspected the roots a bit and found that at the base they are very shriveled and pitiful looking. As the roots extend they look healthier and healthier, but right where the roots attach to the crown they just look plain awful. I am thinking that since they are so bad that it's making the blooms struggle to get any nutrition from the roots and that's why they're taking so long to bloom? How can I help the shriveled roots? Should I cut off the bloom stem so that the roots can recover?

I don't want my first phal to die!!!! HELP!!!!!

[quiltergal]

Yikes! That looks like a very advanced stage of root rot. I would cut off the spike (put it in a vase and it will last for weeks). I would then unpot the plant and give it a good inspection. If the roots are all brown and mushy, cut them off with sterile scissors. If they are firm and white, tan or slightly brown leave them on. If you end up with very few viable roots you will need to do the sphag n bag treatment. Put the whole plant in a plastic bag with some damp sphag and spritz with KLN water. Seal the bag, put it in a warm spot, but lower light. Open the bag once a day for air exchange. Eventually you will see new root growth beginning. This can be a long process so be patient.

[katfemme89]

Thank you so much!!! I will do this.

What is KLN water?

[quiltergal]

KLN is a root growth stimulator by DynaGro. You can order some here. It's good stuff to have on hand.

Product Listing - Dyna-Gro K-L-N Root Growth Stimulant - 8 ounce Bottle

[katfemme89]

Thank you. I am ordering some right now. I actually had no viable roots, so I cut them all off. Will that kill it? I put it in a plastic bag like you said, but until I get the KLN in the mail can I just water with regular water and fertilizer? I use Miracid fertilizer. Also, I do not have any sphagnum moss right now... is there a substitute I could use or can I just put the plant in there by itself?

[quiltergal]

A damp paper towel will work. Just use water for now. No fert.

[katfemme89]

k. Thank you so much for your help.

Do you have any idea how long it will take before I start seeing new growth?

[quiltergal]

This will be a long rehab process. It could take months.