Nearly Rootless Phal. Sogo Grape

[GoldStar135]

Hi all,
I'm having a bit of a problem with my Phal. Sogo Grape 'Fireball.' I got it about a month ago in late September. It arrived potted in sphagnum with six leaves and some roots (only three were visible above the surface of the medium).
Since then it has slowly declined-it has lost all but its two most recently grown leaves.




I unpotted it from the packed sphagnum earlier today and found that all the roots seem to have shriveled up and died except for two small ones (the small greenish one and the plump yellow one)




I've watered it only twice since I received it by checking the dampness of the moss near the bottom of the pot. It sits near a west-facing window which receives a bit of light early afternoon. Temperatures range from about 65°F at night to around 69°F during the day, with humidity levels ranging from around 33-50% (depending on outside weather conditions).

What would be the best way to go about saving this orchid? It's currently sitting bare-root on top the old medium. I haven't done anything other than unpotting the plant.

Thanks!

[aliceinwl]

If it were mine, I'd get one of those 3" clear plastic slotted orchid pots, repot it in fine bark, and tie the plant to a stake or something similar so that it can't move around. I would pot it so that its one good root is against the side of the cup so that I can see it under the substrate. I would only put the plant in deep enough so that the lower half of the second root nub (the other really short live root in your last picture) is below the substrate.

The discoloration on the lower leaf where it attaches to the stem is somewhat worry some because it could indicate some type of rot developing so I'd want to keep that area as dry as possible. I wouldn't put it in a catch pot, just put the plastic pot in a saucer with the root facing the window so that it can photosynthesize too. When the root turns silver, soak the plant for five minutes or so, then allow all the water to drain.

I've done this with a several Phals in similar/identical condition. Usually they just sit there not showing any improvement or further decline for 2 or 3 months, then they take off like crazy pushing new roots and leaves.

Don't give in to the temptation to overwater. If you're not sure if the root is silver or green (the root will green up when exposed to light) give it one more day.

Do not spray the roots with hydrogen peroxide or attempt similar treatments. This will kill those roots that are left.

---------- Post added at 04:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:00 PM ----------

I would also tend to leave the dead roots intact since they are not extensive and will help anchor the plant util it can grow some new ones.

[Ray]

1. Buy a bottle of KelpMax.
2. Make up a solution of 1 tablespoon per gallon of warmish water.
3. Immerse the bare-root plant in it overnight.
4. Pot it up in the open/airy, moisture-retaining medium of choice and water it in with the same KelpMax solution.
5. The next two waterings, use the same KelpMax solution.
6. Keep it very warm and shady, and in maximum humidity (you might invert a plastic bag over it to trap evaporation).

It will start growing new roots soon, and once it does, it is on its way to being well-established in the pot, so the bag can be ditched. Only use the KelpMax once a month after that.

[GoldStar135]

Thanks for the advice so far! I'm planning to buy a 1L bottle of KelpMax and have bark and a new pot ready. I'll update after I soak the plant.