underwatering solutions for phals

[Katrina33]

I recently noticed that my very healthy phal
was wilting badly. The leaves seemed lifeless. When I looked at the roots underneath
the growing material, they were soggy and black.
It had wonderful and plenty of air roots so after removing the dead roots I repotted it.Then it began to wilt badly again.
After I submerged some of the air roots in the growing medium, it seems to have improved. Was that the right thing to do? The medium is a mix of coconut husk, charcoal and perlite. I also have two
very healthy cattleyas growing in the same medium with both air roots and submerged roots.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

You did the right thing. Phals and Catts are epiphytes, meaning their roots normally grow on trees, exposed to air. They get a lot of rain. In pots they also need lots of air at the roots, as well as frequent watering. If the potting medium doesn't have enough air spaces inside, the roots suffocate.

Lots of Phals come in sphagnum moss. They can grow very well in this, but you need to water differently. Just moisten the top of the moss, don't get it soaking wet. Soaking drives out all the air.

You can read more here. Go to the Beginners forum. Look near the top for a sticky thread called The Phal abuse ends here.

[Katrina33]

Thanks so much for the quick reply!