Phal with a few good roots, but NO LEAVES

[Flobish]

As I mentioned in my last post, in case anyone is keeping up, many of my plants are rescue projects. The great majority of these have come from my mother, who is a wonderful woman. She is, however, also an herbicidal maniac.

Today she brought me a Phal, the only reason I know this being that those are the only ones she buys. It has no leaves, but a few healthy roots left after I clipped all the rotted ones, sprayed with physan 20 and dusted with cinnamon.

Is this plant able to be saved? I'm not concerned with the amount of work required if it's at all possible.

[tucker85]

Anything is possible. Orchids are survivors. Good luck.

[Flobish]

I'm an absolute believer in that philosophy, Tucker.

My question is how is this thing supposed to take in energy to grow with no leaves?

Also, how/where would you pot something like this?

[WhiteRabbit]

I once completely crown rotted a Phal that had good roots - I figured I would care for it as long as the roots were still good - a couple months later it started a basal keiki I cared for it as usual, tho had it in a bathroom window (thick frosted glass) - since there was no foliage, it obviously couldn't use light to make food.

Good luck!

[lepetitmartien]

Phals have roots able to photosynthesize. That's why they are green when wet if they are exposed the Phals roots inside the pot that see little light are yellow, and no light white.

Now, there's not much activity down there so the clear pot is mostly to check roots. It's marginal in regard of the activity of full fledged leaves. Now, if there's no leaves left, the Phal can go on with the roots to synthesize sugar and if it's lucky and the crown root does not win, it starts a basal growth and leaves. As the photosynthesis is low, it takes time…

On my own, I'd try the sphag and bag method, to keep some humidity without wetting the roots. Plus you can keep the roots to light thus helping the process.

[prex]

As mentioned already, the Phal roots can photosynthesize, though I wouldn't be the one to say how well.

Assuming that the other roots rotted, I would put it in a wide pot with loose bark so it can breathe and so more light can reach the aerial roots. After normal watering for a few weeks, begin to use a weak amount of fertilizer so it can, hopefully, begin to make new roots and then leaves. If rotting wasn't the problem you can add moss to make watering easier.

I had a mature, old Phal lose all leaves but one that was years old and it still came back. They are frustratingly precarious things as far as I'm concerned, but they can be great survivors.

[rosslyn1037]

Today my orchid lost it's last leaf. I think it was crown rot that caused it. But a root that is exposed is healthy looking and green. I'm sure that there are more healthy rootss under the bark mix it is in. I'm hoping that I can save this plant because the flowers it produces are so beautiful. As long as I see green roots, I'm going to hang on to it. I've read that sometimes they will start growing leaves again. Is there anything that I can put on the neck of the plant to kill any mold left there? I don't want it to spread down to the roots and completely kill it. Thanks for any advice.

[cbuchman]

Try treating the crown with hydrogen peroxide.

[rosslyn1037]

I did put hydrogen peroxide on the crown. So I guess now I should put it in a clear container with some rocks or bark and a little water, correct?

[Stray59]

Rosslynn:
Be sure and dust it with cinnamon - any where there is a crack or cut.
Good luck with your Phalae -
Steve


flobish:
I agree that the roots provide food just like the leaves; in a case like you have, I would make sure that everything I use is sterilized as you will need to provide a fungus-inducing atmosphere to 'pull' the leaves out, along with more roots.
I have saved one similar to yours once. It was only a stem and two roots; there was a leaf tip showing, which is why I thought it was viable. The saving grace was the two little roots. They were very healthy little roots. At the time I had a humidity case for newly planted orc's, cuttings, etc. and it resided inside for 2 months; by then it was established with one full leaf and another coming along. Orchids take not only skill, but patience.
You would do well to create that same type of atmosphere for a while, to get this to recover well. I am not sure how big your plant is, but if you are able to cover it, to create a terrarium sort of environment, the plant will most likely pull out of this. Perhaps a plastic bag tent would help; just be sure you remove it once or twice a day and don't 'smother' your plant.
Also, I would mist it lightly several times a day; you may want to mist with a very weak high nitrogen fert occasionally; the stem and roots alike will absorb it, but use a very weak solution. This could give it a boost into a growth spurt.
I hope it survives, they can be pretty tough little guys (or gals) - Keep us updated!!!!!!
Steve