Strange fluid keeps pooling in the Crown of my phal..

[Leafmite]

I like to use isopropyl alcohol as it dries and disinfects. I have used it to stop rot on other orchids. It does a nice job. Hydrogen peroxide that isn't fresh can become water and oxygen.

[MrsH530]

It looks to me like there used to be another leaf above that one?? And from that picture it does appear to be rotting inside.

[gngrhill]

Definitely looks like crown rot. Depending on how special the bloom is, I had one that grew a kieki from the root and now two years later, that kieki is in spike. So even tho mama may succumb to the rot, all may not be lost.

[Jol]

Ok I've dumped a heap of cinnamon into the crown..do i just leave it to sit?

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by Jol

Ok I've dumped a heap of cinnamon into the crown..do i just leave it to sit?

Yep, just leave it sit and hopefully it will dry the rot out.

[Jol]

Thanks all you've been super helpful. I'll give you all an update in a few days!

[Jol]

Sooo....those of you who guessed crown rot, you were correct! Today I went to inspect the orchid and felt the top leaf was loose. I gave it the slightest pull and the whole thing snapped off revealing a black rotting crown. I threw some more cinnamon into the crown but I'm not sure what else I can do at this point. Any other words of advice?

[sweetjblue]

So sorry to hear that it does indeed have crown rot as I feared.

At this point there isn't really much you can do, once crown rot takes hold, that's it.
The best would be to keep the crown as dry as you can. Maybe even slightly tip the pot to one side to allow water/moisture to drain more efficiently.

If the rest of the plant and roots are healthy continue watering as you normally would and if all goes well you should get a basal keiki or two. These would appear near or below where the plant meets your potting mix.

Good luck!


Judi

[silken]

That's too bad, but kind of what I suspected. I agree, if roots are good, there is a chance for a basal keiki. Or, go get yourself a new one in bloom.

[Jol]

Thanks all. Will just wait and see if the plant has the energy to give me a little keiki. That would be kind of cool as I've never had a keiki. Stupid damn crown rot!