Maybe not crown rot?? - Page 6 - Orchid Board

RosieC · #51 06-23-2012, 03:54 PM

I do spray with fertiliser.

james mickelso · #52 06-23-2012, 04:30 PM

You mist or lightly spray the undersides of the leaves with a very dilute fertilizer solution made of distilled or RO water on the undersides of the leaves. You can do this daily. But I'd mist with the fertilizer water just once every few days and clean water every day or couple times a day. The reason you don't want to fertilize it every day is the fert will burn the leaf surface. The undersides of the leaves have the functioning part of the leaf, the stomata that are like pores that can absorb water and gases and expell wasste products like O2. Mites are almost always on the undersides f leaves because of this. The stomata pen during the day and close up partially at night. But the undersides of the leaves can be misted daily or couple times a day to keep the plant going until new roots can grow. Rosie, good work on the paphs. They will eventually grow a new root system. Keep them warm.

musicts · #53 06-23-2012, 07:10 PM

Sounds good. I'm trying to make this as low maintenance as I can for my mom while she's plant/animal sitting!

musicts · #54 07-07-2012, 08:24 PM

Hey, so no major changes in the plant, other than the roots that died are all on one side, so it started to tilt in it's pot. I've tied it up loosely to keep it from cracking itself off. No new growth, but no major deterioration either. Not sure if this is a good sign, or a bad one?

musicts · #55 07-07-2012, 08:38 PM

Oh, and the roots that were dying are now dried up and brittle... should I cut these off? The "healthy" roots seem to be intact.

james mickelso · #56 07-07-2012, 09:53 PM

I'd just leave it alone and follow the system as before. Orchids are slow growing and patience is a must. But the rewards are nice.

musicts · #57 07-10-2012, 02:35 PM

I've been doing as you suggested. I put it outside for a couple hours this afternoon, not in direct sunlight though, it's a nice day here today and I thought I'd take advantage of it (it's around 25 degrees C... that's a wonderful beautiful day here in Canada) I sprayed it again when I took it back inside. This a good idea, or bad? I'll keep doing all the other things as suggested. I have it put in a pan of water (on a saucer so the pot/plant aren't touching the water), spray it at least once a day with water, every three days with very dilute fertilizer, and give it a good watering once a week. And now we continue waiting... on the up side, it doesn't seem to have deteriorated any more, it seems to be holding its own.

musicts · #58 07-10-2012, 02:58 PM

Also, what is the ideal heat/light for regrowth? I'm so sorry for all the questions, but I don't wanna lose this plant!

james mickelso · #59 07-10-2012, 08:17 PM

Phals like the temps warm. Between 70-85f and the humidity around 60-70%. The most important thing is that they, like most other orchids, don't like their feet to stay "wet". Just slightly moist or damp. Just before their roots are completely dry they like to be watered as long as the media will let the excess water drain quickly and have good air flow. A small fan blowing a breeze onto their leaves and the mdia is good. Helps them dry out.

musicts · #60 07-10-2012, 08:21 PM

This plant is definitely drying out pretty quickly, the water runs right through the media- that's one thing I'm very careful about with all my orchids. I've been spraying it once or twice a day, depending on the temperature.