Nursing a dehydrated phal

[lauraeli]

I went out of the country a couple months ago and had someone caring for my plants while I was gone. Ive been back 6 weeks and just realized today that I hadnt seen my phal schileriana baby since I got back *facepalm*

I found it behind the stand quite dehydrated but surprisingly alive. It has two leaves (quite floppy) but most of the roots are still alive.

Whats the best way to nurse the poor thing back to health?

[fishmom]

I would pot it up and give it good care. Trim the obviously dead roots. Those roots and leaves look like they have plenty of energy to generate a new leaf and it will be on the way.

It looks like you have already soaked the plant thoroughly. I would give it a shot of kelp mix, if you have it. Can you boost humidity in the area also?

[PaphMadMan]

It doesn't look too bad off considering. I'd pot it up and give it normal good care. High humidity for a while if you can manage it, and go light on fertilizer until it shows active growth.

[Arizona Jeanie]

I have one that came to me with no roots at all. The sphag and bag helped quite a bit, but after a year I was tired of looking at the plastic ziplock, and still didn't have roots. Found something called a "Wonder Bubble" on Amazon, it makes a little terrarium to which I added a tillandsia and a new little phaph--my first. (Both are now blooming.) I also eventually followed Ray's instructions on the KelpMax, and am finally getting some roots on this little survivor. Ambient humidity is very low here, so I don't know if your situation would be the same, but the Wonder Bubble and KelpMax have really helped. Yours looks in better shape than mine was, I think it'll be back faster.

[lauraeli]

I am happy to report, that it is now a couple days after the second soaking (for hours), and the leaves are completely firm again. I am no longer worried about the little guy I am impressed, and I feel confident in affirming that phal. schilleriana is a hardy, resilient species phal. I would recommend it to anybody. Cant complain about my equestris, either.