Black sunken spot on Phal

[greenbean]

I just repotted my Great White NOID, my first orchid, and I tried a different potting mix. I switched from pure sphag to a sphag and CHC mix. I've done this with several other orchids this year and none of them have had any problems. Quite the opposite, they're all thriving.

Anyways, my phal developed some sort of rot in one of the new roots. I treated it with hydrogen peroxide and, foolishly, left the root on the plant. With all the other new roots, I realize now that I should have just cut it off at the first sign of rot. Now the rot has moved up and has formed a sunken black spot just above where the root used to join the plant. It is spreading slowly, mostly back towards where the root used to be.

Sorry for the rambling. I just have to explain every little thing. Here's a pic of the problem. I'll let you look at that instead of going on for another 3 paragraphs.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It's not a big problem yet...

Give the roots more air. Add large grade bark. reduce the sphag drastically or don't use sphag at all.

Act fast and it'll stay that way. Too slow, and there' ll be more problems down the line.

[greenbean]

Thanks, I'll try your advice. I don't think the sphag is the problem, since it grew in pure sphag wonderfully for 3 years, but now that it has this rot developing I know getting rid of the sphag will help.

[greenbean]

Good news! While the spot did spread a bit more, I put cinnamon on it and it dried up. I did pull some of the medium away from that area to improve air circulation, and it did lose one leaf, but it's doing very well. 2 or 3 new roots have popped out, in addition to the 6-7 others that started earlier this season, one leaf has matured (though somewhat small, it is very well formed) a second leaf is growing (something I have never managed in one growing season!) and a new flower spike is emerging!

I'd say I have a happy phal once again!

[Zoi2]

Congratulations, way to grow!
Joann