Is this crown rot?

[Dri312]

Hi guys! A quick question: is this considered a crown rot? I think so but I'm not sure how to treat it. I read hydrogen peroxide isn't the best but a lot of people use it. What would be the best steps to end this rot or, is game over for this Phal?





Also, I'm trying to recover others Phals that were neglected. I'm following all the instructions given by the most experienced guys on this board, especially estación seca that was so kind explaining the process to recovery on my last post.

After I repot them from sphagnum moss to bark mix, some of the roots start to dry up or start to rot. They didn't come with a great root system to begin with and I'm worried that those roots will deteriorate one by one, even though I'm following the protocol about watering, using skewers to check dryness, using a humidity monitor, keeping them with air circulation, paying attention on light, etc.

I know orchids grown slowly... But usually, how long takes to see any kind of improvement ( growing roots especially) after them being repot? I understand that many factors can affect that answer but, at the same time, I don't wanna keep losing roots until pass the point of recovery.

I honestly wouldn't expect losing more roots if I'm following the right steps. That's why I keep doubting myself. I'm thinking to use the bare roots method at least I can see how the roots are doing. Is it recommended?! Should I place them in a enclosed clear container with some water (without touching anything) to rise humidity even though they have some roots?! I feel I'm losing the battle again.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. And if you need any more specific info, please let me know and I will answer you. Thanks!



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[estación seca]

It might be crown rot. You can try dribbling a little hydrogen peroxide 3% (the way it's sold in the US) just into the crevice of the crown from above. Often a plant with crown rot can't be saved no matter what you do, so prepare yourself.

Roots accustomed to living life very wet might not take to drier conditions. The plant will eventually grow new roots if conditions are correct. The most important thing for growing new roots on a Phal isn't the medium used nor the watering method, but how humid you can keep the air around the plant. More is much better than less. Wet the roots, then let them dry out, but keep the humidity around the plant as high as you can.

In my opinion, treating with a kelp product also helps a lot. I use KelpMax from First Ray's.

Light doesn't matter much to root formation, so be careful not to give them too much. Most of the time additional light means additional heat. They like to be warm, but the higher the temperature, the more the leaves evaporate water which the plant can't replenish with poor roots. A little less light than for healthy Phals is enough for rerooting.

The most amazingly wrinkled Phal, with just one leaf and no roots, very often turns around and lives.

[Dri312]

I'm following all your instructions estación seca! Thank you again for responding to my post.

What do you think about placing them in individual glasses (bare foot method) and put them inside a big clear container (like storage boxes) with some water in the bottom to elevate humidity? It would be like a aquarium set up. The water wouldn't touch any part of the plant, and the plant wouldn't touch any part of the box. I tried just to see how the humidity would be and the monitor showed 66%. Never I got that number around them even using a humidifier.

My question, is the box supposed to be closed all the time? If the leaves get moisture from evaporation, do I just dry them up and keep lid closed? I was wondering how people use aquarium or terrarium to raise humidity without compromise air circulation...

I'm using Kelpmax as well.

Thank u!!



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[estación seca]

It is a difficult problem - raising humidity a lot, but not having an airless, enclosed, infection-prone environment.

A lot of people put small fans in their enclosures. It is not hard to wire a computer CPU fan to an old transformer, from something like an electric shaver, and put the fan in the enclosure. You can find posts about this here on Orchid Board.

Also, humid air tends to sink. Other people leave small openings for ventilation at the tops of their enclosures.

Your planned method is what a lot of people use. I think you have a good chance of success.

[Dri312]

Just checked again and humidity is 92%!! I'm going to this route!
I will read more about air circulation and try this method.
Thank you so much estación seca. Really appreciated!


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[bil]

OK; I know I am a cynic and a pessimist, but really, unless an orchid is rare, expensive, or has deep sentimental value, - or you wish to see how well you can pull a lost cause back from the brink, I really wouldn't bother.
Phals are , not quite ten a penny, but getting that way. So, unless the reasons above apply, I would simply toss them on the compost heap. Gods, I've thrown a few orchids on there, even healthy ones when I run out of space. or discover I have bought a duplicate.

If I were tasked with saving one, I would pot it up in a big shallow pot, in coarse bark, and around it I would place, buried in the bark, three balls of sphag moss, about 1.5-2 inches in diameter. They will help the roots, and provide a supply of moisture continually without suffocating roots.

[ccrow]

Originally Posted by bil

Gods, I've thrown a few orchids on there, even healthy ones when I run out of space. or discover I have bought a duplicate.

I gave my duplicates to my daughter Gotta stop buying half-price 'mystery' orchids at the big box!

[Dri312]

Originally Posted by bil

OK; I know I am a cynic and a pessimist, but really, unless an orchid is rare, expensive, or has deep sentimental value, - or you wish to see how well you can pull a lost cause back from the brink, I really wouldn't bother.

Phals are , not quite ten a penny, but getting that way. So, unless the reasons above apply, I would simply toss them on the compost heap. Gods, I've thrown a few orchids on there, even healthy ones when I run out of space. or discover I have bought a duplicate.



If I were tasked with saving one, I would pot it up in a big shallow pot, in coarse bark, and around it I would place, buried in the bark, three balls of sphag moss, about 1.5-2 inches in diameter. They will help the roots, and provide a supply of moisture continually without suffocating roots.

Hi bil! I have read your position before in another post and the only thought crossed my mind was "I wanna be just like him when I grown up!"

I understand your statement based on your experience with these plants. You have amazing healthy orchids! Unfortunately I'm far...... very far to reach that point. I'm still on my baby steps trying to figure it out the basics of how to buy, repot and keep an orchid alive. Every struggle is a chance to learn a little bit!

To ccrow: I'm sure your daughter doesn't complain about your "addiction"! Certainly I wouldn't!

Thanks for the input and have a great day everyone.



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[bil]

Originally Posted by Dri312

Hi bil! I have read your position before in another post and the only thought crossed my mind was "I wanna be just like him when I grown up!"

I understand your statement based on your experience with these plants. You have amazing healthy orchids! Unfortunately I'm far...... very far to reach that point. I'm still on my baby steps trying to figure it out the basics of how to buy, repot and keep an orchid alive. Every struggle is a chance to learn a little bit!

Thank you for the kind words. If it is any consolation, I still panic and worry when I get a new type. This year I am starting getting some catasetums, so again, I will be worrying about them in case I don't get it right.

Phals are pretty simple. Not quite as bullet proof as denphals, but close.
My suggestion would be, do some serious reading and work out what they need. Give them that, and trust me, very little will phase them. Mind you, that is true of any animal or plant. Work out what it is they need, and you can't stop them from growing/breeding.

If you have problems with these rescue cases, don't let it put you off.

Their needs are surprisingly simple. Light and water are of course essential and have to be got right. Fertiliser is really fine control and as long as you don't overdo it, it doesn't matter what you give them, as long as it is weak, and frequent.
So what are you left with? Medium.. Strictly speaking you don't need any because a phal will do quite nicely hung from a bit of string as long as the roots are sprayed often enough.
Your choice of medium really is the biggest thing that you do to determine your orchid's health. Too mossy and water retentive, and you risk suffocating the roots, too open and they risk drying out unless you water them three times a week (which I do rather than risk root rot.. winter they drop to once a week.)

[Dri312]

You are welcome bil. I have much appreciation for the experts on this board, for taking their time and sharing important information with the newbies like me.

My guess for all these Phals that landed in my hands is they already came very neglected. I noticed some crown rot on some. I won't even worry about it no more. If I lose the battle, too bad. At least I know I did everything I could to save them. Plus, I'm glad I took the time to learn and be more prepare for the next time.

The only two that came healthy is on bark. So far, no sign of distress. Yay!

I like how you think bil. Life is already complicated enough! I will continuously take care of my plants but if it turns to worse, I know where to find more!

Thanks for your time!



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