Phal, too many new roots?
 

**update to ask about leaves. You can't tell from the original pictures I posted, but this Phals leaves are really droopy and leathery, and they are starting to curl in on the sides. I've read this could be because of dehydration from lack of roots. Should I water more or add wet moss to the top of the bark? Or should I let it go since its producing so many roots. It even has another new leaf forming.

Also, could these leave be dying because there are so many new roots busting through them? The new root growth is pretty high up on the base.

I have attached a picture that shows this drooping and such. It should be the last attachment in the bunch.

Thanks in advance and thanks for all the help so far! :D *****

I recently repotted a Phal for the first time since bringing it home and I had to remove a lot of dead/rotten roots. When I left for vacation last week there were 5 new roots growing, which is fantastic. When I came home today (1 week a later) there were a lot more and I'm afraid that this growth is excessive and perhaps I am over-fertilizing. I fertilize my Phals once a week after I water using Jack's Classic Orchid Special (30-10-10) at 1/4 tsp per gallon when they are not in bloom.

I'm concerned because many of these roots are coming out above and between the leaves and in one spot there are so many new roots growing that it looks crammed. This is my first Phal to have noticeable new root growth so I'm not sure what to expect. Is this normal?

I've attached pictures for reference.

This looks like a good sign. More roots the better

New root growths are great, especially when there are so many.

You can never be too rich, too good looking or have too many roots.

I don't think there's any such thing as too many roots.

I'm keeping this phal seedling on because...........its got more roots than I have ever seen.........hmm, too many roots? Time will tell.....
Its not the fertilizer I use as every other seedling is 'normal'.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08...d567dc609e.jpg

orchidsarefun, please post photos when this blooms... the growth looks different than most Phals.

Yep, it's more like a Vanda than a phal. It's siblings are also rootiferous but not to this extreme.

That's some massive root system. Looks so healthy

Thanks everyone for your responses! I'll let it do its thing and see what happens. Fingers crossed it blooms this year, but I'm not too hopeful... It's doing a lot growing all these new roots.

Your phal wants to be a renanthera. :) It would be interesting if you could breed it so it improves on the longer internodes... my evil genius thoughts are coming back.

OT: There is no such thing as too many roots!

I'm now concerned that the plant maybe dehydrated. I've edited the OP to add a picture that shows how droopy and leathery the leaves are and how they are starting to curl in. I thought maybe it was bc the new roots were piercing so many leaves, but orchidsarefun's beauty above doesn't seem to have that problem.

Droopy, wrinkled and leathery leaves indicate not enough water. The problem for the grower is figuring out whether there is not enough water, or there are dead roots.

You have a little root village going on there! Love it!

Your orchid probably has pulcherrima in it's background. The upright growth is typical in that species.

the hybrid consists of 10 species, pulcherrima isn't one of them. Cross is Nobby's Amy x Liu Tuen-Shen.

How many roots are alive down in the pot? If they are then it just needs a good soaking. If not you will need to put it in a smaller pot and let the new roots develop.

Orchidsarefun that is one amazing Phal.

I want to say there are at least 5 or 6 roots in the pot. I didn't have to remove them all, but I did remove a lot. I will give it a good soak today and see if that helps. after soaking, how long should I wait to see if it has recovered before I repot in a smaller container? Thanks!

Lol, that is hilarious! It would be funny to have a tshirt with that printed on it!

What media is in the pot?

That looks like a very open, dry bark. Great for aeration, poor for water-holding capacity until well broken-in.

I suggest you put it in the sink and run lukewarm water through it for a good 15 minutes, rotating periodically to make sure it's all wetted. Wait 30-60 minutes, and repeat.

You'll find that the bark will hold more moisture going forth, and never let it dry out completely.

You beat me to it, Ray. Lady Meera, I'm guessing that you didn't pre-moisten the bark before you used it. It has very little water retention unless it's already moist, so Ray's suggestion is excellent at this point.

For future repotting, if you dump boiling water over the mix (you don't need a lot, just enough to wet the mix) the day before you want to use it and then seal the bag it should be well moistened and cool the next day when your ready for it.

It's an orchid mix that is primarily bark with some charcoal and sponge rock I think. I don't remember the brand but the bag had an AOS approval stamp.

---------- Post added at 10:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 AM ----------

Thanks guys! No I don't think I soaked this batch before I potted with it. I'm still learning :) I will take your advice and let you know how I make out!

That is impressive .

Well, I have to admit I don't spray mine pre use. Everyone says that the roots need a dry spell after repotting for breaks to heal, so I figure that'll do. Mind you, I am watering every day.... so I figure it all comes out in the wash, ahaha.

I do sieve the bark to take out all the dust and small bits.

That's the only worry I would have with your mix, in that are the sponge rock and charcoal small pieces that fill the gaps betweenn the bits of bark? I like mine so open it is impossible to overwater it, as I always see suffocated roots as the big threat.

I thought the same thing when I first opened the bag but the water seems to run freely through when I water them. When I repotted this one I found that while it looked like it was potted in bark from the nursery, the roots were actually packed in moss, hence all the root damage. Maybe this one is struggling a bit because of the change in medium around the remaining roots. Everything else potted in this mix is doing great, but nothing else had to lose so many roots either.

Well, all mixes when new allow water to run thru. I'm trying to look ahead a year when the mix is compacting a bit..
I have repotted some of mine after their first year, to get them into shallower pots, and tbh, the bark was still so good I reused it.

Okay, I'll keep my eye out. Thanks!

I envy those phals with nice plump roots. I hope my phal will grow more roots, too.

UPDATE
 

Hello everyone!

I though I would post an update on this orchid. I moved it to a smaller, clear plastic pot and repotted it in the repotme classic dark phal mix. I soaked it for its waterings for a couple months over the summer but now just water from above. The leaves are no longer droopy and the roots have grown wonderfully. Every few weeks I have to coax them down into the medium and add more on top to keep them covered. To my great surprise, it recently rewarded me with a new spike!!!!:dance:

Thank you all for the wonderful advice on this plant!

Congratulations on the spike.