Success! New roots and leaves for a sick Phalaenopsis
 

Hello!

I'd better start off by saying thanks! After having an extremely sad phal (see image 1, about 8 months ago) and seeking advice on OrchidBoard I'm pleased to say that I now have two new big, fat, healthy leaves and a number of new roots.

This phal had been potted in sphagnum moss and wasn't able to dry out completely. Luckily, I had been neglecting it so I didn't end up with too much root rot. Any squishy roots I found were removed. I cut a number of additional drainage holes/slits into the plastic container it came in and repotted it in an orchid potting mix I purchased at Bunnings.

With the new drainage holes in the plastic container, I was able to stick my finger in the bottom of the pot to test for dampness in between waters. Based on this, I have been watering every 10-14 days, allowing all of the water to drip out of the bottom of the plastic container before replacing the whole thing in a decorative pot.


Fingers crossed that I'll get a spike one day, but in the meantime I'm happy with roots.

Thanks for the good advice that allowed this phal to survive, hopefully this info helps some of my fellow newbies! :waving

Awesome! It feels amazing to care for a sad plant and finally get it looking nice and healthy and growing well, doesn't it?

Wooooo!!! It looks great! :wtg:

Good Job! Such a difference between the first and last shot.

Great growing, that's quite a recovery!

:cheer:

My Heavens! Wonderful Job! Wonderful growing!

:goodjob Nice work!

Ahh, I've found more growth!

This is just far too exciting. I think it's probably too early to tell if it's a root or a spike but I just couldn't contain my excitement.

Here's a photo, I'll add another in a few days. It's the teeny tiny little green tip poking out on the left of the two other new roots.

Attachment 99811

:cheer:

SPIKE!!!!!!!!!!! Nice job.

If you feel your phal is strong enough to use the energy in the production of flowers. I tend (so far) to cut spikes if the plant is only trying to save its life through reproduction.

Most plants, orchids included, sacrifice flowers for longevity. They blast the flowers in order to save their vegetative selves. They don't flower as a last gasp. Cutting the spike is good practice if you know the plant is stressed. But this plant has new leaves (two to a flowering) and new roots. I'd let this flower but make sure you give it water and feed it. Keep it warm (70f+) and if you can, give it a little breeze from a small fan. Just like the big commercial growers do when producing these big phals and flower spikes.

Here's an update, look at this happy little guy!

Attachment 100206

Attachment 100207

These roots are still too young and immature to absorb much water. Keep wetting the undersides of the leaves for awhile. Good luck.

Definitely a spike, you should have flowers in about 3 months!

Roots looking good, and yes that's a spike there as well :cheer: