Bagged Phalaenopsis getting yellow spike

[nenella]

sorry I just re looked at your 2nd photo - It looks to me as you literaly 'sprinkled' cinnamon on your phal. I have found the best way to 'cauterise' a wound is to put a small amount of cinnamon on any flat surface dip your finger in it and touch the wounded part of the plant directly so as to cover just the 'wound' with cinnamon.

[RosieC]

I agree with Nenella on the cinnamon.

I made the mistake with mine of leaving too much all over the roots and it dried them too much. Just dab a bit on the 'wound' and the end of the roots.

The 'skewer' method is really useful. When the 'chid only has a few roots it is difficult to see them and use their colour to judge watering, so the 'skewer' method can come in to play even if you have a clear pot.

[Linn]

Hi, yes I sprinkeled cinnamon on it, because it had a few black spots on the leaves so I worried it was getting fungus there too and I read in another place of someone who did that. But I potted it again earlier today, and I washed off the cinnamon at the same time. Thanks, I didn't know it had a drying effect, I'll stick to put it on the cut parts another time (though I hope there won't be more...).

What is the skewer method?
Should i still keep it in the tent now after I re-potted it?
I'd like to try the perlite, but I'm not sure where I can get it. Would Leca work the same way? Would it be too stressful for it to be put in a different medium again so soon after re-potting it?

[Judi]

In addition to the above suggestuions, I would also use KLN, a rooting stimulant. Follow the label directions which would include initially soaking the new medium in a KLN solution and then more dilute solution for watering until you have good new root growth. I first heard about KLN here on OB, and I the results I had were fantastic And no, I don't work for the KLN company

[RosieC]

The skewer method is a method of checking when a 'chid needs watering.

Use a wooden skewer and push it in to the bark. Keep it there, and when you want to check if it needs watering pull it out. If it is damp or cold on your cheek then it is not time to water a Phal yet.

When you have checked push the skewer back in to the same hole to avoid damaging any more roots.

This method helps you check how damp the medium is below the surface as the moisture at the surface is not a good indicator.