Phalaenopsis funghi

[Winika]

Greetings.
My firend (yeah right) has a Phalaenopsis that seems to be quite healthy but there is a spreading white mycelium over the bark and dead roots at its base. Is this threatening? What could it be and what is the best procedure to ensure good health? I think it was watered too heavily in the past.

Any help would be just great, thanks.

Winika

[justatypn]

Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. It has many forms and is caused mainly from decomposing medium. The mycelium that a fungus absorbs nutrients from its environment. This form of fungus is from over-watering.

I would suggest purchasing if you already do not have Physan and treat the rooting system, hopefully someone will have the appropriate steps, as well as repotting your orchid. Either it be in bloom or not, it's important to remember when watering your orchid that if your unsure of the next watering, use a chinese skewer place in the medium and pull this out and touch to your cheek and you will get the feel of the medium to damp or needing to water.

[Winika]

Thank you very much.

I am a new member here and it looks like a wonderful resource. My real interest is in New Zealand natives. Our orchids are tiny but very smartly dressed and for the great part don't like being domesticated at all. To anybody wanting to cultivate them or collect... please just leave them where they are.