Weird purple growths on phals stem

[Lamia189]

Hey guys. I have had this phal for a few weeks now, I have reported it right after purchasing (it had some root rot) and it has been doing pretty well since the leaves greened up nicely. No new roots yet unfortunately, but I think this guy is working on the new leaf right now. But the other day I tripped it over by accident and it fell out of the pot. Using the chance to inspect the roots I have noticed weird purple growth around the stem. I can't remember if these things were there from the start. When I bought this orchid it had 3 spikes and the flowers were strong purple, so the spikes themselves had the same tint and same for the leaves. So could this be a case of a weird hybrid? Because to me these look kind of like beginnings of flower spikes which failed to develop further. However I just wanted to make sure with you guys, since I'm not yet experienced, thanks!

[Ray]

Looks like it is trying to grow new roots, but the nearby conditions don't favor that, so they quit.

[jkofferdahl]

I was thinking just what Ray said. Make sure the plant is secure in its new pot and set it aside for a short while to dry out completely.

Under what conditions do you grow this Phal?

[PaphMadMan]

Ditto. Something is stopping roots from developing, and you get these nubs. Make sure the plant is potted, watered and fertilized appropriately, and immobilized in the pot so it doesn't flop around and damage new root tips.

[estación seca]

New roots stop growing when they don't get water for too long a time, or when they are damaged by bumping into something. A near-rootless plant wiggling in the pot will bump new root nubs into the medium and damage them.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I agree with the diagnosis.

An alternative you can try. Suspend the plant bare root in a vase. Water only by soaking the roots, maybe a half hour at a time, then drain. Do this as often as daily.

This is vase culture. I find it is a good way to encourage root growth on plants with poor root systems.

When you do get roots growing again, maybe roots 10 cm long, repot into something like orchid bark. Secure the plant so it does not wiggle around in the pot. If possible, leave the plant somewhere it will not move until roots firmly attach to the pot.

[estación seca]

I have best success with Phals in trouble using the method Orchid Whisperer suggests just above.

[Lamia189]

Thank you guys so much for the diagnosis, the plant indeed flops around in the pot. So that is most likely the reason. I had no idea the roots too would appear purple at first. You learn new things every day!
I am using see through pots with drilled holes in them, so I just pulled some fishing line through the holes to hold the phal down in place by the cut flower spikes.
I don't think I will experiment with the vase, if the phal is okay in the current medium and wants to grow roots I think I will just leave it nice and secure. Thank you very much for the suggestion though I already have one phal like this (bought on sale because it had root rot) and I'm trying to give it a shot in a vase because it was getting moldy in the medium. It looked and still looks extremely dehydrated so I sprayed it daily. Now it doesn't mold in the vase. I just have enough water in it so the longest root tips touch the water. There is no improvement though :/

[estación seca]

I don't leave water in the vase. I fill it up every day to soak the roots for a few minutes, then empty it. Every few days I let it soak for a few hours.

I grow some of my Vandas this way, too, the smaller ones that fit into jars or vases.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

I agree with the diagnosis.

An alternative you can try. Suspend the plant bare root in a vase. Water only by soaking the roots, maybe a half hour at a time, then drain. Do this as often as daily.

This is vase culture. I find it is a good way to encourage root growth on plants with poor root systems.

When you do get roots growing again, maybe roots 10 cm long, repot into something like orchid bark. Secure the plant so it does not wiggle around in the pot. If possible, leave the plant somewhere it will not move until roots firmly attach to the pot.

I've used this method on a couple of rescues picked up, and it works quite well. However, if your plant is secure in the pot you should be able to accomplish the same thing. Never leave the pot sitting in water, though. Let the water run through completely. While the plant is developing new roots you might do better just spraying it a few times a day with a mister.