Sedirea in trouble

[bkim]

My Sedirea japonica is getting worse. When I received it, the roots weren't in the best condition. I mounted it in sphag but it was staying too wet and developed a fungus problem. I removed it and potted it in sphag in a traditional Neo style but it wasn't getting any better. I removed it and cut off the dead and decaying roots leaving only 1 good root 2" long. Fearing it won't survive, I decided to sphag-in-bag it to promote some root growth. I followed Ray's recipe for soaking the plant and added some Phyton27 to kill off any remaining fungus. I checked this morning and there is white hair all over the roots and the base of the plant The fungus is still there. At this point, I don't know what to do.

[Ross]

I think you are trying too many things one after the other. This is a very forgiving plant (able to adapt to just about any watering regimen) but you can overdo a good thing. For now, leave in the bag (with a small opening at the top) and wait till it develops new roots. My experience is that the roots dry up, then re-root off the ends of the dry roots. Those dry up then reroot. Get the picture? I don't think any one of the actions you performed did the deed. I think the continued redo did the deed. Leave it alone for a while and let it recover. The mold shouldn't be there, spray with Physan 20. Keep the plant on the dry side for a while, even in the bag. Unless you see shrivelling leaves, leave the bag open a ways. Keep out of sun. Hope this helps.

[shakkai]

I agree with Ross! (Like that ever happens! LOL!)

I would rinse all of mold off and spray again with Physan 20. Get some new moss (in case mold spores are still in the moss in the bag) that is just slightly moist, put it in the bag with the bag open at the top and just leave it. And, yes, unless you see the leaves shrivelling up, leave it alone. It will send out new roots to try to find moisture.

[bkim]

Ok thanks. I have some fungicide I want to try. My plan is to wait till the plant recovers a bit and then pot it in fine bark mix. I'm glad to hear that they can take a beating of sorts. I have a Seigyokumaru (miniature minmaru) that's doing really well potted Neo style in sphag.

I think the biggest mistake when using sphag is using too much sphag and compacting it too much. There should be enough sphag to keep the plant moist but not too much that it stays sopping wet for extended periods of time. It should also be "fluffy" to allow air to penetrate the ball. Having good air flow is key.

[Ross]

I also think with Sedirea, that the worst thing you can do is keep the roots real wet. Your idea of loose sphagnum sounds OK to me. Just watch the root color. Let them get whiteish before you rewet them.