mold problem--sphag & bag

[Annika]

I've had a phal in a bag for the last 6 weeks or so. It's not doing so well...lost a leaf, for one thing, and the roots don't look any better and are maybe a little worse. But the biggest problem has been MOLD. I've treated it with Physan 20--soaked it for 10 minutes or so--and still it came back. I've left the bag open at the top, but that hasn't changed the situation. Should I dip it again? Even the old spike grew mold. I tried to cut it back as close to the crown as possible, but I think that it's still growing mold...MOLD, MOLD, MOLD!! GRR. Send me/my phal a lifeline, please!

[snow]

i would use a new bag if you haven,t done that already.
punch a few holes in the bottom of the bag; and also make sure the plant is not touching the spag.
hope i was of some help.

[Annika]

Originally Posted by snow

i would use a new bag if you haven,t done that already.
punch a few holes in the bottom of the bag; and also make sure the plant is not touching the spag.
hope i was of some help.

I've changed the bag several times, particularly after treating with Physan 20. I'm using a piece of damp paper towel rather than sphag but do not allow it to touch the plant and have changed it too after the Physan treatment. I could try punching holes in the bag but my main concern is treating the active mold first.

[jkhom]

Good morning.
I'm trying to get some oncidium back bulbs to grow and am also usiing the bag and sphag method. I thought that you were supposed to place the bulbs into the damp moss? Should the bulbs NOT be in contact with the moss? Is that maybe the reason they're not doing anything?

[Annika]

I have been told that you should not have any part of the plant in contact with the moss. The damp moss is only in the bag to provide humidity. Also, supposedly this method can take months before you see any results.

[MissFlora]

I read it somewhere before that you can use alcohol to kill the mold (if it is getting out of hand). Maybe you can check out more information about it? I personally will dilute the alcohol very thoroughly...maybe there's a ratio somewhere..

Flora.

[Annika]

I've tried the following at one point or another in the last 6 weeks: Listerine, diluted rubbing alcohol, diluted bleach, and Physan 20. I guess I'll just soak it again in Physan 20 and hope for the best. Anybody else have any ideas?

[cherublace]

i have been experimenting with reviving catts. Have several in pots just on top of the medium which i spray everyday with a weak 777 fertilizer solution. also have some in freezer bags with sphag. the sphag is not touching the catts. i pick these up everyday and blow into the bag then seal up about 50% of the bag until the next day. i have roots with both methods. the bag method seems to take a few weeks longer to produce roots. I think moving the air might help to reduce mold growth. good luck!

[Annika]

I'm sad to report that my phal succumbed after 3 months in a sphag & bag. I was hopeful about 2 weeks ago that a new root was emerging, but two or three days later it died off and early this week the last leaf turned yellow.

Thanks, everyone, for your good advice along the way. Now that I'm sadder but wiser, I'm hoping none of my other orchids will ever go the way of this poor phal.

[priz_m]

I'm sorry to hear that Annika, I too lost a phal that had a new leaf and root while in the bag it just turned to mush practically overnight

We've all been there, I just hope this doesn't stop you from the pleasure of growing orchids!