Help- trying to rescue rootless phal

[ccrow]

I made an impulse purchase of a little noid phal at the grocery store... I know, I should have looked at the roots but it was so cute! Long story short, it had no live roots. I cut off all the dead ones and part of the stem(also dead), and removed the lower two leaves to try to reduce moisture loss. I have it in a wide glass vase with gravel and water; it's in a plastic container inside that, and I have cling wrap over the opening. But if I keep it covered to keep the humidity up, it gets mold or fungus growing on the stem... what am I doing wrong? Or what am I not doing that I should be?

[Roberta]

Good luck... It sounds to me like this one was on its way out before you got it (I hope for a very reduced price), and probably nothing that you do is going to revive it. Without roots, it has no way of taking in water. You might try "sphag and bag" - a little moist sphagnum moss (or even damp paper towel, in a ziplock bag. Put in a shady place, and give it a chance to grow some roots. And buy yourself a plant that is in better shape to start with - on this forum you can find plenty of help to keep it healthy. You can try, but don't invest too much emotional energy.

[AnonYMouse]

For future reference, do NOT cut off healthy Phal leaves. Fleshy leaves function as energy reserves. If the timing is right, Phals can survive on the reserves in the leaves until new roots develop.

[ccrow]

Yeah, it wasn't expensive; and one of the leaves was starting to yellow. I'll give it a chance but I don't hold out much hope.

[bil]

I don't remove leaves or roots. I think even the dead roots have a role to play.

As to cutting off leaves, no way, José. Most orchids can survive the loss of their roots, but if the leaves and/or pbulbs go, there is IMO very little hope.