Will my Phal die?

[Andreea]

Hello,
I have a very stressed orchid here 😢
I cut its roots yesterday as they were empty and now it is left with 4 aerial roots.
I would really like to save it but I am not sure what is the best method.
Any suggestions would be very helpful..
Thank you

[Roberta]

First, I cringe when I hear "cut" and "roots" in the same sentence. Where the outer coating of roots (velamin) is soft ant rotted, it can be easily removed. That's the "storage" part of the root, the part that actually transmits the water is the stringy central core - if it is not rotted and doesn't come off easily with a tug, it is still capable of hydrating the plant, and also helping to hold it firmly in the pot until new roots form. Those remaining good roots are capable of sustaining the plant until it grows some new ones, holding it firmly in the can be a challenge. I'd suggest some fresh sphagnum, and a stake to hold the plant steady. Water when the medium is nearly dry. (You can also use small bark, then it will be necessary to water more often but in the long run the plant may be happierr)

[Andreea]

Thank you for your reply 😊

Sorry I made you cringe, the stringy central core was completely dry so it needed to be removed.

Thank you for your advice, I will re-plant it in sphagnum and mix a few barks as well.

[metazooa]

If that's a spike emerging from one of the nodes near the top.
I'd cut off the spike so that the plant can focus on root development instead of flowering. be careful not to damage the stem, if you decide to cut the spike off.

[Roberta]

Hard to tell if if it is a spike, or an aerial root, or even a new growth (basal keiki). I would not cut anything until you are sure what it is... don't rush to cut, in general! The plant knows what's doing!