phal with air roots only - Orchid Board

highwar · #1 06-25-2016, 06:32 AM

I have a phal that 2 months ago had root rot .
I cut all the roots since all of them had rot. it has 8 good air roots, two of them I put into the media and the rest I spray with water.
It has been one or two months since I cut all of the roots and nothing grows.
The media is bark with coco husk (small pieces),mostly bark.
I couldnt find root hormone in my country or its too expensive and it costs like a new orchid)

My temp in my country is around 31-33 at day time and 25-26 at night with 60+ humidty.
I put the orchid a week ago outside so it could flurish with the high humnidty that summer brings I just hope its not too late.

I put it in a small greenhouse with a lot of air movments and shaded place.

Any thing else I could do ? since two months and no root growth

rbarata · #2 06-25-2016, 07:13 AM

I would keep doing what you're doing. Keep humidity high and...patience. Can you post some photos?

highwar · #3 06-25-2016, 07:16 AM

I dont think pictures will help
it has 6 leaves , they are green but a bit limpy but not dry or yellow so its good.

I cut off the flower spike 2 months ago.
any natural root hormone or something natural I could do to help it out more ?
I water it one in two weeks just a bit and most of the time (daily) I mist the phal and the air roots

rbarata · #4 06-25-2016, 08:00 AM

Quote:

I dont think pictures will help

Believe me, they might...even the kind of pot you're using can make the difference.
Now that you already have more than 5 posts you're able to post pics.

highwar · #5 06-25-2016, 09:55 AM

phal witout roots but with air roots - Album on Imgur

well here is some images
I use clear plastic and some marble to give more humidty ( when it was it in my home)

fishmom · #6 06-25-2016, 10:41 AM

If this were my plant, I would take it out of the pot and soak it well to make those roots flexible, then repot with more roots in the medium and the medium level a bit higher. Do you use a wood skewer or stick to monitor the moisture level in the medium? Does it really stay moist that long? I am surprised that you only water once in two weeks, and I doubt that misting will provide all the moisture the plant needs.

A seaweed fertilizer might help spur more root growth. Is that available in Israel?

rbarata · #7 06-25-2016, 11:35 AM

The pot is ok. But those holes on the side makes the medium dry fast, which is what the plant needs. But you should water it more often. One in two weeks is not enough (btw, the limp leaves are an indication that the plant is dehydrated). If you water it once per week I believe the plant reacts by growing new roots near the medium to seek for water.

highwar · #8 06-25-2016, 11:55 AM

I mist the first inch of soil too , every day.

I cant burry the other air roots since they will break for sure.

the orcihd had root rot since I watered it every week when it was inside my home.

I dont want to water it too much since the media doesnt have roots so I prefer it to be at the dryer side or is it wrong ?

the leaves are limpy since the orchid doesnt have roots.(at least what I think)

I check by putting my finger 2-3 inch in the ground.

about seaweed- I searched for it but didnt find one.
the only thing that might help and I could get is Aspirin

rbarata · #9 06-25-2016, 12:33 PM

Quote:

I dont want to water it too much since the media doesnt have roots so I prefer it to be at the dryer side or is it wrong ?

If the media is on the dryer side why would the plant grow roots inside of it? Their growth must be promoted.
I believe if you water it once per week and stop misting the roots will grow- That's my oppinion.
Maybe others have another idea.

highwar · #10 06-25-2016, 12:54 PM

I could put a bit more media and water it once a week and nnot mist.. since the air outside is very humid