How to save phal with root/crown rot?
 

I have a phal that is turning mushy, soft, and dark at the base. I don't know if it's root or crown rot, but the dark patches seem to be getting larger. I've tried using hydrogen peroxide, but it didn't bubble. I don't know how to save it, but it's one of my favorite plants I own and I want to do anything to try to save it. If anyone knows what the issue is or how to fix it, I'd really appreciate the help.

The good news is that the plant does not seem to be suffering from crown rot and actually doesn't look to be all that bad, The "crown" is the point where new leaves emerge at the center of the plant.

That said, it appears that the potting medium is old and compact, and is suffocating the roots when watered.

Unpot it and throw away the soft vinyl pot and the moss, and repot it into a fresh medium that will be appropriate for your growing environment. I mix of medium bark chips and about 25% sphagnum is a reasonable starting point.

It wouldn't hurt to treat it with a stimulant to "kick start" it into active growth. I like Kelpak (and I do sell it), but synthetic hormones can also be good, if they're fresh.

Welcome Myra!

I'm guessing it's been in that medium for a long time. The medium looks like it's breaking down. Phals. must have lots of air at the roots. When medium breaks down, it plugs up the air spaces, and can choke roots.

Take it out of the pot and remove all the medium. Don't cut off any roots, don't cut off any leaves, and don't cut the spikes. Then post a photo of what you find, plant plus roots. Then we can advise more.

Thank you both for your help! It makes me feel a lot better knowing it isn't rot. I'll buy some orchid bark as soon as I can. When I repot, I'll take some photos and write an update.

I'm still waiting on the bark to arrive, but my orchid's leaves are turning yellow and the black spots are spreading. I'm not sure if it's normal. Should remove the yellowing and blackening leaves while I'm waiting for the new medium to arrive?

I vote for getting it out of the moss asap so you can see what’s going on everywhere.

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Don’t wait until the bark arrives.

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Leave the leaves until you know what’s happening. If they’re dropping naturally, you don’t want to remove them until they’re beginning to get papery.

Take it out of the medium right away. They survive months bare root.

Thank you both. I'll get it out of the moss and take some pictures

I've just taken it out of its old medium. Some leaves fell off after being touched very lightly and some of the roots looked rotted, but some still look healthy. These are the pictures I took. Is there anything else I can do before getting the new medium?
Thank you all so much for your help so far. I'm new to having orchids and I wasn't sure what to do.

howdy, yeah the roots look good and it should be fine. not sure how long till you get your new media, but you can easily put it in a glass and let the roots sit in water for a couple hours every couple of days. this will make sure the plant it fine until you get your bark. good luck, it looks fine!