Newbie with a Phal problem

[dorkorroni]

Hey! I recently acquired a new phal in very poor conditions. This would be the second I own, the first one I lost due to poor care. I don't want to lose this one and in trying to save it I came across this forum. I have absolutely no knowledge on how to care for this beside all the research I did today, any advice would help.

Based on my research, this plant was overwatered. I know I have to repot it because the pot it came in has no holes, it's all glass. And that is all I know, please help!

[LuvPhals]

Welcome! This is an excellent forum and you will find much to read and learn from. Stay in the Phal beginners section.

[Bud]

Welcome and Hello !

Find a plastic deli food container or chinese take out soup container that is similar to the size of your glass pot, using a knife, punch holes at the bottom and on the sides....wet the plant in the glass container, invert it and make sure you get it whole and as much as possible not to distroy the roots....transfer the whole plant into the plastic if you can manage to gently do it.

[Purple_phal_gal13]

From the sounds of it, did it come with the "moss"? In one of them decorative vase like pots? If so it probably needs to be repotted and an inspection of the roots and such to see how much damage has occured and trimming of the dead and mushy roots.

This is my best guess from the imformation provided. I have dealt with the "moss" in the pots with no holes. I've lost several phals due to this. I would definately say search the forums and read up on overwatering and repotting.

I saved my lil orchid from a similar fate, i have confidence you can save this one. Do you have any pictures of the orchid and/or potting media? That would help diagnose.

[LuvPhals]

With my rescue Phals in poor condition I have taken them out carefully. Check out the roots for mushy and rotted from overwatering. Then in repotting mine I went into a simple fir bark orchid mix that I got from Home Depot. The new pot you're going into needs to be very clean and have alot of drainage holes. Then I let them dry out a while - some of mine were so bad I withheld water for 2 weeks. When you do water them make sure you do not get water in the crown of the plant. That causes fungus and crown rot which is hard to treat and will kill the plant quickly. If you get water in the crown of the plant and crotch of the leaves then take a straw and blow it out. In the search function at the top you can type in certain words and it will lead you to the thread talking about that subject. There's lots to learn and they are fun.

[dorkorroni]

Thank you so much for all of your help and advice! I will get to repotting right away. As for the bad roots, do I cut off the whole "root" or just the bad area?

@Purple_phal_gal13 yes it is one if those. It came with moss and a glass vase/pot. Here are some pictures, if you need more detailed pictures or of different areas please let me know!

Thank you soooo much!

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchidboard. I agree with comments above. Repot and check the roots.

[dorkorroni]

Thanks for the welcoming and the advice! You guys are great!

[LuvPhals]

Just clip off the mushy rotten part of the root. Make sure you use clean clippers. If you have used the clippers on other plants then try and sterilize them first in a diluted bleach solution. Then rinse the clippers repeatedly to get any traces of bleach off of them. Don't cut off every root - you need some root and anchoring in the pot. You just want to get the really mushy stuff off.

[dorkorroni]

Got it! Thanks! Hopefully I save it. I believe it's been in that vase for about a month!