Is my phal orchid rotting?

[Julia17]

Originally Posted by astrid

If in doubt, repot it. Phals are pretty tolerant of repotting as long as you don't break their roots off. If its root system is as small as it seems to be, the pot its in is WAY too big! Pot it up in a narrow water bottle or something in big bark chips so it can effectively dry out and so the roots feel snug.

I just find the skinniest possible clear bottles in the drinks section of the store, then I drink or dump them and put holes in the bottle as much as I like, cut it to the height I like, and pot up the orchid. I think you should repot.

I think only the buds of phals are fussy to repotting (blasting, etc). The plant itself doesn't seem to mind when I repot it.

Thank you for your reply. You're definitely right about the pot being too big. Unfortunately I don't have an orchid store near me and NO ONE sells clear plastic pots, it's insane.

I took it out today and the roots looked better than I had expected. Still nice and plump and there are some green tips too There was a bit of fungus though so I used some peroxide then fungicide and now it's just sitting over some water (not touching) with some cinnamon on trimmed roots. I'm going to repot it in a small plastic bottle in a few days when it's healed a bit, seeing as I seem to have a lot of trouble with fungus.

---------- Post added at 05:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:09 AM ----------

Originally Posted by wintergirl

If your orchid is staying too moist you could take it out of the double pot, getting more air to the root area. (Hopefully there are holes in the plastic pot.)

I don't think it's too moist, it's in bark with lots of holes in the pot. I've learned not to overwater. If anything, I try to keep it drier because my orchids just keep getting fungus all the time

---------- Post added at 05:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:12 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Jenn4a

I noticed that the bottom leaf is dehydrated, but the newer ones look more firm. When my sphag experiment phals were suffocating, all the leaves started wrinkling at the same time. It doesn't hurt to check the roots. It's always better to catch things as early as possible.

I second wintergirl's advice. Also, the phal doesn't look top heavy; I use two pots only if the phal is prone to tipping over.

Thanks for your reply. The bottom leaf is very dehydrated and it has been for months. The reason is because I thought the plant had died as a result of repotting it a long time ago so I just left it alone and forgot about it. Then I noticed it was still alive and growing so I started to care for it again. Those leaves remained dehydrated but green. It's a fighter. The blackening of the roots came way after this...

By two pots are you referring to the white ceramic pot? It's just sitting in that as a decorative pot, I got it from another orchid which came with it. It doesn't need it, it's just decorative. Is it bad to set it inside a ceramic pot like that?

---------- Post added at 05:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:20 AM ----------

Originally Posted by silken

I agree to try and take it out of that cache pot so fresh air can get to the roots. Phal roots also photosynthesize in nature. A clear pot benefits them, if it has good air/drainage holes and the plant is not over-potted. But if it is in the cache pot, no light gets to the roots, or air. I only put mine in decorative pots when they are in bloom and I have them where they can be enjoyed.

You could also insert a bamboo kebab skewer down into the media and leave it. Pull it out to test how wet it is before watering. This has helped me avoid root rot with many of my orchids.

"cache pot". Thanks, I didn't know they were called that. I never considered only putting them inside a decorative pot when they're flowering, that's definitely a great tip. I do know that the roots can photosynthesise, so I will do that. I was never really sure if air could get to the roots while it was inside a decorative pot. I guess not.

Thanks again for your reply hopefully this one will recover, it's looking ok. I'll apply these tips and hopefully I'll get better air flow without the decorative pot.

---------- Post added at 05:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:25 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Orchidgirl83

What sort of rooting powder are you using? It could be that is burning the roots and that is why they are dark on the tip.

I don't use powder. I use a gel, it's a very light gel, almost watery. I haven't used it in a while, but I won't do it again. I will keep an eye on the new roots and see if they turn black too.

---------- Post added at 05:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 AM ----------

Originally Posted by silken

I agree. I have heard that regular rooting hormone is not recommended for most orchids as it is too strong. SuperThrive, KLN or seaweed works well. I am a convert to seaweed big time

I used seaweed as well, I think it's what gave it this crazy growth spurt.

---------- Post added at 05:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:31 AM ----------

Originally Posted by astrid

Silken, can you show some before/after pictures or share a few anecdotes about the seaweed?

I have been reading that superthrive isn't actually demonstrated to work, but the kelp extracts ARE demonstrated to work. Should I start a new thread? I don't mean to hijack this one!!

You can hijack away Astrid! I can use any info you guys may have to share. I feel like I've done SO MUCH research since losing my first orchid and I want to do everything right so I don't kill this one too. The stupid fungus loves my place.
It's a very humid environment (summer. In Australia. Need I say more?)

Thanks everyone for all your replies!! I hope to post pictures of a nicely rehabilitated phal soon enough

PS: I may be a beginner at this, but I'm willing to bet that "seasol" (the seaweed fertiliser I used) is what contributed to the healthy leaves I've got growing now.

---------- Post added at 05:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:36 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Paphluvr

If you do repot, set the plant lower in the new medium. Right now you have a lot of roots on the lower part of the stem that have no medium to grow into. I assume that you are a windowsill grower and that your humidity is not very high, otherwise these would normally develope into aerial roots in a more humid environment.

I was hoping that they would turn into aerial roots....my environment is relatively humid. Ranges between 50-75, with an average of about 60, maybe? It's on a windowsill right now.

I'm hesitant to pot it lower in the medium, I think that's what caused my previous orchid to start rotting. It happened immediately after repotting, within 2 days it went on a downhill spiral. The base started rotting.

Those are all new roots that you can see. Does the fact that they're growing into the air not mean that they'll be aerial roots?

Thanks

[astrid]

You might have a fungus problem because of the potting media itself. Sometimes cheap mixes go moldy on me and it ruins my day!!

[wintergirl]

They sell the plastic pots on Ebay.

[astrid]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

They sell the plastic pots on Ebay.

I never buy those, because you can order a giant pack of 32 or 16oz plastic soup containers for about $8-12 on amazon, and I just put the drainage holes in myself!

[Stray59]

Julie17:
If mold is a problem in various pots, and you are careful with your watering - I would check the air flow around the plants.....stagnant, humid air if perfect for bacteria and mold. You might think about placing a small desk fan blowing toward them on low and see if this helps.
I always microwave my media in a glass bowl for 5 minutes on high, then let it sit and naturally cool to room temp. Even some sphagnum that was definitely molded turned out fine to use after destroying the spores in the 'wave.
If you are not going to plant the plant deeper, I would loosely wrap some sphagnum around the base to try and "draw" the roots out - they look like the tips have been burned either chemically or by dry air. But I have had some that recovered well after they looked like this, so be patient.
And it is easy to obsess with a sick plant - I have "jumped the gun" and kept pestering a plant to death by fiddling with it, so sometimes patience is the best medicine.
Just some thoughts to consider......

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by astrid

I never buy those, because you can order a giant pack of 32 or 16oz plastic soup containers for about $8-12 on amazon, and I just put the drainage holes in myself!

Thanks, those 24 oz delli containers look like something I might use.

[tarev]

Originally Posted by Paphluvr

If you do repot, set the plant lower in the new medium. Right now you have a lot of roots on the lower part of the stem that have no medium to grow into. I assume that you are a windowsill grower and that your humidity is not very high, otherwise these would normally develope into aerial roots in a more humid environment.

I will have to differ with that a bit.
Something I have learned with my Phals, they seem to prefer their lower end just sitting on the media and slightly leaning, not buried in the media. The roots can go in the media to get their moisture but the lower end of the plant, just fine sitting on the media. Seems to allow more air flow for it.

I guess if the plant has no roots, then bury it a bit, so it can help in encouraging root formation, but if it has existing roots already, the roots can do its work seeking the moisture, by going aerial or going below. It really taught me how much air circulation this plant needs. so most of my Phals are leaning now to the side, other end with roots a bit above the media, and just some roots below, and some go happily aerial. That way they still do their photosynthesizing, still getting moisture, and still getting their quick dry time.

I use clay pots with side holes, or ceramic containers with side holes..always with side holes better for Phals for their containers, whichever container type you use.

Run the ceiling fan right after watering, just for a few minutes..they really like good air flow all over.

[snowflake311]

Originally Posted by Julia17

Ok so this phal has been to hell and back. I've posted here before, my first orchid died because it couldn't recover from root rot and fungal infection. This is my second one, which I had given up on a LONG time ago.

The story is: I totally forgot about it because I thought it was dead, then one day I noticed that a leaf I had accidentally broken off during repotting had grown substantially, and there was a new leaf coming out. I wish I still had pictures to show. The large bottom leaves were all limp, because they hadn't received water in a long time.

I decided I'd try and revive this thing given it was such a fighter! I've recently lost one of the limp leaves due to natural causes. In the last few weeks, that tiny leaf has grown A LOT. It's also put out a lot of new roots (i've given it rooting hormone because it had a poor root system) but the problem is, they are turning black and they stop growing.

Today I noticed a tiny new leaf coming out, and what looks like a new green root tip coming through. I don't want this one to turn black too, you can see in the pictures how all the other root tips have just turned black.

I would love some advice on what to do. I'm pretty sure it has hectic root rot going on, but it's also growing like CRAZY! Would taking it out of the current media stunt that growth or even kill it? I don't want to repeat the same mistakes I made with my previous orchid, where I kept messing with it trying to get rid of the fungus.

I would really appreciate any advice on this. I think I can save it, given how much it's been growing! Thanks a lot!

Are you sure you want to save it? Because once you save this one it is all over for you. You will have found your green thumb. Soon you will have a house full of orchids.

With the help you find here your plant has hope.

[Julia17]

Originally Posted by Stray59

Julie17:
If mold is a problem in various pots, and you are careful with your watering - I would check the air flow around the plants.....stagnant, humid air if perfect for bacteria and mold. You might think about placing a small desk fan blowing toward them on low and see if this helps.
I always microwave my media in a glass bowl for 5 minutes on high, then let it sit and naturally cool to room temp. Even some sphagnum that was definitely molded turned out fine to use after destroying the spores in the 'wave.
If you are not going to plant the plant deeper, I would loosely wrap some sphagnum around the base to try and "draw" the roots out - they look like the tips have been burned either chemically or by dry air. But I have had some that recovered well after they looked like this, so be patient.
And it is easy to obsess with a sick plant - I have "jumped the gun" and kept pestering a plant to death by fiddling with it, so sometimes patience is the best medicine.
Just some thoughts to consider......

I think you've hit the nail on the head. I'm pretty sure my entire apartment is set up to have very poor air flow. I'll have to consider fanning them. I'll also keep them out of the decorative pots from now on.

And you're also right about being patient :P not my strongest point! But I think I can see green tips even on those blackened roots so there's hope for them. Also I never thought about microwaving the medium, that's a great idea! How long do you do it for? It won't catch fire, will it? :P do you moisten it first?

---------- Post added at 12:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 AM ----------

Originally Posted by tarev

I will have to differ with that a bit.
Something I have learned with my Phals, they seem to prefer their lower end just sitting on the media and slightly leaning, not buried in the media. The roots can go in the media to get their moisture but the lower end of the plant, just fine sitting on the media. Seems to allow more air flow for it.

I guess if the plant has no roots, then bury it a bit, so it can help in encouraging root formation, but if it has existing roots already, the roots can do its work seeking the moisture, by going aerial or going below. It really taught me how much air circulation this plant needs. so most of my Phals are leaning now to the side, other end with roots a bit above the media, and just some roots below, and some go happily aerial. That way they still do their photosynthesizing, still getting moisture, and still getting their quick dry time.

I use clay pots with side holes, or ceramic containers with side holes..always with side holes better for Phals for their containers, whichever container type you use.

Run the ceiling fan right after watering, just for a few minutes..they really like good air flow all over.

I'll definitely fan them from now, I think. The airflow in this apartment is terrible it could be the root (pardon the pun :P) of all my problems!

[RJSquirrel]

your bark is too big. its not coming into contact with enough root. smaller bark will contact more root and you might be able to avoid the drying out effect that the bark has. Low humidity doesnt help anything but dust mites.

small roots small bark big roots big bark.