Help me save this mini Phal!
 

Please? :_(

This is the one of the four minis I purchased about a week ago and just as I feared it's not doing so great. The first thing I did was to re-pot all four of them in sphagnum since the one they stood in were rock hard. During the re-potting I noticed that this little guy barely had any roots (I suspected something was up with it since its leaves were not as in such a great shape as the others being a bit floppy) and I've been worrying since. Today I did as you're not supposed to do and picked it out of the pot to check on the roots' condition and except them dying a bit more, nothing has really happened.

How am I supposed to care properly for this one? What can I do to encourage some root development (I don't have access to any root growth hormones) and how do I keep it alive? What should I really try to avoid - keeping it too moist or too dry? Should I move it out of the sphagnum and into a mixed medium instead? Or should I just put it back and leave the poor thing alone...

Please help me save this one! Not only are the flowers illegally cute, but it has very dark leaves that are mottled as well.
:help

As much as you're going to hate hearing this, I think the first thing to do is cut the spike. I know it's still blooming, but blooming takes a lot of energy. Cutting the spike will help conserve that energy (so to speak) and hopefully encourage the plant to shift into "grow" mode. I would leave it in sphag and water it as you normally would, letting it dry slightly between waterings. Try to keep it as warm as possible - if you have a heat mat it would be a great. Hopefully others will chime in with more advice (possibly better advice) soon. Good luck!

i would suggest that you put it in some mix and let it dry for two days or so before beginning watering. it still has some decent roots water every two days or so if its in the mix. moss is just too wet in my opinion.

It has enough decent roots to survive. I agree that it's probably best to cut the spike and put it in a vase to enjoy. Moss or bark or a mix of both (as I do) would work. You just need to let it get very close to dry before watering again. I find clear pots work much better than dark ones as the roots photosynthesize, so you could try that. It should be in a fairly small pot so it dries quickly. I would also mist the leaves until it has more roots-but you must make sure no water sits in the crown or crown rot will result. If you have no access to K-L-N or Super Thrive, how about some seaweed. There are some posts on here about seaweed having rooting hormones in it and you can often find that at gardening or hydroponics stores.

I have one in bloom right now that a year ago had much less root than that so it can survive! Now the clear pot is jammed full of roots and they are coming out the bottom holes!

I have all of my Phals in clear pots so that is not a problem (but thanks for the tip anyway ;) ). I'll cut the spike and put the Phal in a bark/sphagnum mix. It's standing in a very small pot so I'll use that. I'll also mist the leaves during the day until it has started to develop more roots. Hmm... I'll go to the local pet store and see if they have any seaweed. I hope they do, but I wouldn't count on it.

Thanks for the help! Now I'm off to try to help this little guy!

I rescued a noid miniature (dtps) recently and it's a pretty little plant from a big box. They had, if you can believe, CACTUS growing along side (as IN the medium!) of their phals as each was dying a sad, slow death. :(

Anyhow, if you can find some Superthrive (rooting hormone) that might help its chances as well. We used it for some neo. falcatas we had bought that were rotted out and most recovered the previous abuse.

The problem with Superthrive is that I can't buy it here in Sweden. I've checked the British Amazon but all they seem to have is Superthrive for Bonsais... Is it the same as to orchids? Somehow I doubt that it is. :scratchhead:

Here's a link to the Superthrivethingy I've found on the English Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Superthrive-...1143980&sr=8-1

There is plenty of general Superthrive on the US eBay for pretty cheap or on our US Amazon site Amazon.com: Superthrive 4oz: Patio, Lawn & Garden.

I'm not sure what hassle there is ordering out of country from US to Sweden. But you can try there. I would assume the bonsai ST is tailored more towards their needs, but I'm not 100% sure. I would just stick to the general stuff if you can get your hands on it.

---------- Post added at 10:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:20 AM ----------

You link appears to be the same. They might just say bonsai as a selling point. I compared the two links, and I don't see any difference. :)

Better to shop in Europe, ordering from the US = paying import taxes!

I agree with you Pelepel, it appears to be the same thing. :nod:

Alright! Then I'm off buying it since I need it for an equestris keiki that'll be arriving next week as well. Thank you so much. :D

And the product in the UK link is superthrive, like pelepel says it's probably a marketing thing.

Yep, it got me confused for a second or two. Bad marketing people messing with poor peoples' heads like that!

And here's KLN in the UK: Dyna-Gro KLN - The Rooting Solution 8 fl.oz

Oh? :shock:
Does it work like Superthrive and stimulates root growth?

I actually prefer K-L-N to Superthrive. I've had better results with it.

It's also a root stimulant. Cheaper than superthrive, but there's a £10 min order, and I have no clue how much they charge for shipping. I've been meaning to order to kln for ages, but never got around to it!

---------- Post added at 07:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:48 PM ----------

I just simulated a purchase, £18 for shipping! :shock:

---------- Post added at 07:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:50 PM ----------

but they do sell charcoal.

I'll stick to the Superthrive for now then since the total sum for respective orders are pretty much the same.

I think both products work well. I've used both, and KLN is awesome, I must agree. I love Dyna-Gro Pure Neem Oil. It is what I blast to destroy pests, fungus, EVERYTHING. That and physan 20. :D

We just started using Humboldt products. They might be here only in the States, I'm not sure. But they are super popular at the moment and seem to be great: Amazon.com: humboldt: Patio, Lawn & Garden

If you use superthrive on a regular basis afterwards, it's better to avoid using it on spiking plants, as it's known to cause bloom deformities.

They do? Yes, apparently they do. What should I do now? :lol:

---------- Post added at 01:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:56 PM ----------

I've read some short snippets about Superthrive, and I only want to use it on rescuing objects (maybe I can save my P. equestris aurea with it?). Otherwise I want to try and grow the rest of the chids without using hormones.:nod:

Yes, what Camille said. It's good for your situation to establish healthy roots and to get the plant strong.

Since you'll have to cut that spike back anyhow (or it might die from the stress) it will be fine. Just don't use it for flowers in spike or too often.

Yup, I hope it'll survive until the rescuing solution arrives. Both this little mini Phal and my dying P. equestris aurea, that is. I hope the Superthrive might be able to stimulate some root growth on the basal keiki on my equestris since it appears to be slowly but surely dying.

Just be reaaalllllly careful not to overdose because that could kill the plant. And for other plants, I would use the KLN because that is strictly just a rooting hormone if you see poor root growth. :)

Thanks for the advice Pelepel! I'll be very careful with it. :nod: It would be a bit too ironic if I managed to kill the rescuing projects with what is supposed to save them. :roll: