Does my Phal have Fusarium?

[ButterflyJak]

Bought a reduced phal a few months ago, had lovely blooms, I was fooled! Last couple of days the blooms started to droop and one of the leaves too. Took it out of the pot, it's in a sad way, there was some white fungus on some of the roots and most were dead. Cleaned it up best I could but am only left with one root that is still firm, although it's attached to a dead bit. Cut some of the crown away too which was also dead and took away the spike, but there's pink colouring where the spike was and around the crown, is this fusarium? Am I wasting my time with this plant? It's a shame as it had very nice blooms. I'm still pretty new to keeping orchids, haven't dealt with this before, only dehydrated ones. Thanks in advance.

---------- Post added at 11:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:48 PM ----------

I've tried to add a photo but it's keeps getting denied!

[Roberta]

If you had to cut into the crown, I think that this one is gone. (If it was inexpensive, and you enjoyed the flowers, think of it in the same category as a bouquet, that you enjoy and then toss) Taking it out of the pot to see what you were dealing with is exactly the correct thing to do. It was a learning experience, there was nothing that you could have done to save it.
You do have to post 5 times to be able to upload a photo.

[jkofferdahl]

Welcome to the Orchid Board.

Agreed with Roberta. When you cut into the crown, if the plant did NOT have crown rot, you may have effectively accomplished the same thing, killing the plant's stem. When a plant with rot is otherwise healthy - say a really strong root system - it may sometimes grow a basal keiki, and I've even seen healthy roots loose essentially the entire stem and still regrow, seemingly from the roots. But both of these are pretty rare, and both would require a pretty vigorous root system. So yes, it's pretty likely your orchid is now history. I'm sorry.

For what it's worth, this isn't something that should deter you! I don't know anyone who grows orchids that hasn't killed plants. It's not like growing a spider-plant! But when one dies, learn why (in this case, likely a fungus), and then learn how to avoid it with the next plant. A really good way to minimize and even prevent fungi and bacteria in orchids is to provide plenty of fresh air movement. Both the orchids which survive our care and orchids which die in our hands are excellent teachers.

I'd still like to see a pic of the plant, which would let us get a look at the crown.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Try and resist the urge to rescue sick plants until you can grow healthy ones well, and you are prepared to lose a lot of the sick ones.

[ButterflyJak]

Thanks for all your replies, I decided to throw it away, before doing that I cut further into the centre and think possibly it is fusarium bit concerned now as I bought another phal at the same time that has amazing blooms but top leaf is a bit droopy.
I'll post some photos when it will allow me.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Make 5 or more posts and you can add photos. If you have a link to a photo on another site, such as Photobucket, you can insert the link in the text.

When you buy a new Phal, look at the roots before buying. Repot into orchid bark and a pot with good drainage right away when you get it home. This will not hurt the flowers.

[ButterflyJak]