Sphag n Bag Phal
 

Hey,

A few weeks ago I bought my first Phal orchid. I am very new to Orchids and have become obsessed with them! Unfortunately the shop I bought it from had been watering it wayyy to much and it had badly rotten roots. Unfortunately I did not check the roots and as it was dehydrated watered it accordingly (as in too much) and made the problem worse. When I re-potted it and took down the flower spikes on advice from others I noticed how badly the root system was damaged and that the leaves were starting to shrivel up. So I cut away some of the dead roots and was left without any roots that weren't dry, mushy or damaged.

After doing some research I decided to try the sphag n bag method to see if I could encourage some new root growth. It has been in the bag just under two weeks and yesterday I noticed the first sign of new root growth.

Does anyone have advice about the best time to remove it from the bag and re-pot it or how to successfully rehydrate it without killing it once re-potted?

Here are a few pictures:


http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...6/DSCF1940.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...6/DSCF1944.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...6/DSCF1943.jpg


Aside from the one green tip, the other roots are all flaky, mushy or the ends damaged from where I have had to cut away the mushy parts.

Does it need a bit longer in the bag?

I noticed when I took it out that it's leaves do feel firmer but they feel very rubbery, much more so than my healthy phal. I also noticed some mold on the remains of the flower stalks.

I have hope with the emergence of a new root...but I wonder whether it will make it...its leaves just don't look right...

Any help would be much appreiciated :0) Thankyou!!!!

Amanda

I would leave it in the bag way much longer....You can open and reclose the bag once in a while, just to refresh the air inside but I would, at least, give it a month in the bag.

Mine has been in the bag a month and a half, but at the same time it had absolutely no roots whatsoever. There is finally a little nub starting on the base, but I still can't tell if it's a root or not. From what I've read, you might want to leave it in the bag for a while longer and to help with the transition try leaving the bag open for a few weeks or so before potting it.