P. bellina near death - Orchid Board

bellina9 · #1 02-06-2008, 09:32 PM

Sooo Sad!! I've wanted one of these for so long !!! but this one was free.

Basically, I think it had had a tough time before I got it, then when it was shipped to me, the sender sent it UPS and it arrived at my old apartment!!! Worse yet, spent the night outside in almost freezing temps!!

I've had my bellina home for about a week or 2 and its lost one leaf, and only has one left thats wrinkled. It also only has one viable root. Yesterday I did major surgery to get rid of dead roots, then poured peroxide on it, dusted with cinnamon and root hormone. Its been sitting inside a pastic saucer and I spray the one root every 3 days or so. I'm afraid that the whole thing in sphang it will just rot away. What do you think???

It does have a tiny left slowly appearing from the crown, so if I could just get one more root and that left to come out, I think I can save it.

Does anyone have suggustions?

caseydoll · #2 02-07-2008, 06:27 PM

I'm sorry about your poor little orchid! I think the fact that it's growing a new leaf is a good sign though.

If I understand correctly, at the moment it's bareroot on a saucer? If so I would increase misting it to once a day. If it's not in any medium there is really no danger of overspraying as long as you do it early in the day. Keep it in a warm area and maybe think about putting it in a big ziplock with some wet sphag at the bottom or moist paper towels. Make sure you open it every couple days so things don't get moldy. Lots of people on here have great success with this method. Hopefully someone with more experience than i will chime in. I'm no expert!

Weebl · #3 02-08-2008, 03:42 PM

What works for me is having two pots, a larger plastic and a smaller clay pot. set the clay inside the plastic and have sphagnum in between the two pots and thoroughly wet it. The moisture will wick from the sphagnum through the clay to provide near 100% humidity inside the clay pot. This lets plants send out roots even if there are non to support the plant. when it has at least 1 inch of a new root I would repot it. I would keep it in a little more shady spot until new roots can anchor themselves in the media too.

I've also just thrown crippled plants like your bellina in some CHC and watered them like every other phal I have and it's now established itself in it's pot. As long as it's sanitary and the growing conditions it's in dont vary too much it should be fine.

Ross · #4 02-08-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caseydoll

I'm sorry about your poor little orchid! I think the fact that it's growing a new leaf is a good sign though.

If I understand correctly, at the moment it's bareroot on a saucer? If so I would increase misting it to once a day. If it's not in any medium there is really no danger of overspraying as long as you do it early in the day. Keep it in a warm area and maybe think about putting it in a big ziplock with some wet sphag at the bottom or moist paper towels. Make sure you open it every couple days so things don't get moldy. Lots of people on here have great success with this method. Hopefully someone with more experience than i will chime in. I'm no expert!

I would follow this advice. I have found most Phals to be way more robust than one thinks and I'll just bet (keep in mind I'm not a betting person, but this is a sure thing) it recovers. Don't expect miracles overnight. Try this regime (besides Sarah's advice) use KLN mixed 2 drops per quart in a quart sized spray bottle to spray the whole plant, leaves and all (including the one viable root) every single morning early. Let the whole plant dry off before evening. Watch for little nubbins (Dorothy's term for new roots) to occur near the base of the plant. Keep the plant in shade (not real dim light - just no sun). Short of this try one quick spray with KLN then place in plastic bag to hold humidity. Add a small wad of wet moss or wet paper towels - not touching the plant. Mostly seal the plant but keep out of sun. When nubbins appear start the KLN daily routine. One of these should work.

quiltergal · #5 02-08-2008, 04:48 PM

I agree with Sara and Ross. While hybrid phals are very hardy and really may not need any special attention, species are a bit more particular. Your bellina will need a bit more TLC than a grocery store hybrid. It's leaves are much thinner and therefore the plant has fewer reserves to draw from. Sphag n bag with KLN as has already been mentioned is the way to go. The only thing I would add is to keep it warm.

bellina9 · #6 02-09-2008, 04:13 PM

Thanks for all the replys

I like the idea of putting a clay pot in a plastic pot. I'm afraid that sphang n bag method might cause mold or bacteria growth.

What is KLN?

Thanks so much!

Ross · #7 02-09-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellina9

Thanks for all the replys

I like the idea of putting a clay pot in a plastic pot. I'm afraid that sphang n bag method might cause mold or bacteria growth.

What is KLN?

Thanks so much!

Product Listing - Dyna-Gro K-L-N Root Growth Stimulant - 8 ounce Bottle