Question About a Sad Phal's Candidacy
 

Hello, I have a mini phal that I nearly killed (overwatered and rotted all of the roots I think). I am happy to say the sad little thing is growing 2 roots after sitting in a tiny pot of sphagnum moss for over 6 months. The 2 little roots are actively growing, less than an inch long each - 1/4 to 1/2 an inch.

I originally though this would be a good time to move it into an SH growing environment, but now I second guess that. I wonder if I waited too long with the new roots, or if this is a poor candidate because it has been suffering for so long with no roots at all.

Thanks so much for your opinions. I can't attach a pic at this time because I am not at home.

H

Personally....I would wait. He's just now getting his "sea legs" and still very much in recovery. I don't think I'd push it. Just my :twocents: :biggrin::biggrin:

Even if you wait, once it's in SH (I assume you mean with clay pellets as a medium) you won't have to worry about over watering again- basically. While it is in moss, you'll have to restrain yourself. :)

Thank you Janet and Marc. You both touched on my conundrum, I agree it is possibly in recovery mode too much to change it out now. But also, now that roots are growing I am afraid of the moss and watering it correctly lol.

Thanks so much for the feedback!

If it were mine...I'd feed it some kelp (seaweed) which will stimulate good root growth relatively fast. Once you have plenty of nice plump healthy roots, try the S/H. Perhaps in the spring when it begins abundant growth and it's health is at it's best.

I let my phals dry out almost completely before watering. Or mount it!

Thanks Janet, I do water with seaweed and also KLN once in a while. I will feel redeemed if it is still going next spring, after my ignorance all but killed it this past year.

Once you start touching the active growth tips of the roots, they stop growing. You need to place it where you want it to be, and water, but otherwise quit moving it around. When you move orchids to a decent airy medium, whether it is cork, lecca, lava, bark, or a mount they adapt. Basically, the way I see it is that I have until it starts growing a spike to get those roots and leaves to grow. Once the spike starts, the plants priorities change. Material and energy goes to reproduction. A rootless phal can put out a spike, but it is not good for the plant.

On the assumption that your ultimate goal is to have it in S/H culture, my advice is to do so immediately - remove all of the moss, immerse the plant for 30 minutes in warmish water containing a tablespoon per gallon KelpMax, then pot it up for S/H.

Considering where you live, put it outdoors, in the shade.

For the next week or so, whenever you water, add the KelpMax, and no fertilizer. After that, use a very dilute fertilizer routinely, and add the KelpMax monthly.

Thanks so much Ray, I'm very glad to hear you say that, as I have a confession. That day I thought about it so much that when I got hope I went ahead and did it before I even had any forum replies. I have been glad I did it and regretted doing it several times since. That kind of hasty action is something I need to grow out of with orchid growing.

I soaked it in a K-L-N solution beforehand and it has been sitting on a heat mat since. Outside in shade is a good idea though, it has been very very warm here with pretty high humidity. I will follow your fertilizing advice. I actually have a half bottle of MaxiCrop to use up though. I will definitely try the KelpMax when that is gone.

I understand what you are saying Optimist, and that is exactly what I have done wrong with this phal in the past year - changing things too often when results weren't fast enough. It only showed this promise after I left it alone for a long, long time. The ultimate goal for this phal has always be S/H though so in an effort to correct my mistakes with that I jumped on the chance to switch it with a lot of new roots starting. Time will tell. This orchid has been the epitome of my mistakes in both S/H and bark/moss media, so whatever happens, it has taught me a lot.

Thanks again everybody so much for sharing your experience and wisdom.

Thanks for saying that ginger. Once I found out if those little growing ends were touched, it would pout, I only move them by their pots, and never repot. To me, messing with the roots sets you back a season. Phals seem to only put out about four main roots per leaf pair. Not a lot of roots.