Repotted phals, need help with root rot :(
 

Hi ya'll. Well I've repotted some phals that really needed it. One is my little Phal. equistris(?) and the other is my Harlequin which ain't doing so hot at all and is still recovering from crown or root rot.

The mini phal had some new root growth going on and it was pretty pot cramped. It was still in a little, "plastic" pot liner thing and I moved it into an Oxygen Core pot with a sphag, perilite, lava rock, and I think coconut husk. I did very little trimming of the roots as it was looking really good.

Now for the worrisome one. My Harlequin, a while ago I repotted it back into it's old pot which was way too large for the root ball that was left. And I used a Miracle Grow Soil-less potting mix. It survived and has produced two little leaves and one small root. Now that I'm much more knowledgeable I've repotted it.

I noticed while I was removing it from it's pot, the other side has a very small root node. I know it's real late to be repotting but it hasn't grown at all and the remaining bigger leaves have started turning yellowish. I also planted it in a similar mix as my mini phal.

Ok, the two concerns. One, the pot for my Harlequin is again a little large (3") but it's all I had and I was afraid to wait any longer.

Two, since this guy is in rough shape and the mini has been repotted, I'm keeping them in a small beta tank (no chems been used) with some water in the bottom to promote humidity.

Should I keep these guys in the dark or will they be fine with some light? I've heard varying opinions on this and I want these little guys to survive. I'm like a nervous parent and I dont know what to do. I know air circulation is important. I plan on giving a dose of Physan 20 as a preventative.

What should I do? I'm desperately wanting these two to survive as I've problems in the past.

Any help will be much appreciated. Pics will be posted tomorrow since compy not cooperating today.

I'm not a phal expert, but have a couple of thoughts to offer. When you say you're keeping them in a tank with water, the pots aren't sitting in the water right? Never want pots to be in standing water as it doesn't allow the medium to dry out.

You do need to pot in the smallest pot that will hold the roots. So, time to get a new pot for that Harlequin.

Also consider some Superthrive or seaweed extract to promote root growth, and make sure that the roots stay warm.

The extra humidity of the beta tank is probably a good idea. Phals grow much better with high humidity. Definitely give them light. Orchids use photosynthesis to produce energy so they need light to survive. I like those core pots but any clear plastic pots with lots of drainage holes work well. It's very important to use the smallest pot that the roots will fit. That often means using a pot that looks too small for the plant. The mix that you used for your mini-phal sounds pretty good. I like mixes that allow lots of air to the roots along with some moisture retention. Allow the mix to get almost completely dry before rewatering. Good luck.

The beta tank has gravel in the bottom and the water is in the gravel to promote humidity. I figured having the pots sit in water would cause issues. :( I'll get these little guys some light asap.

From the sounds of it, sounds like I need to get another small pot. Problem is the root mass I"m dealing with is about the size of a half dollar, with one small root growing and a tiny root node with two small leaves. Any ideas on this?

I agree tucker, I was leery about sphag but this mix has good drainage capability which I'm really liking. I"m still having problems getting the pics up. I'll try again later so ya'll have a good idea what I'm dealing with. The mix is the Phal monterey imperial orchid mix from Repotme.

You have very good instincts on growing your orchids....my advice is to give it heat or maintain 80F....below 40F is not advisable; these are tropical plants after all....since we have weather changes: the cool nights induce it to spike and bloom.... exposure to frost will turn it to mush

Thanks Bud. I try my best.

The heat thing could be a problem with the TN weather even being indoors I don't have the heater running yet and this might not be enough. Does anyone know of a place that sells "orchid" heaters? Or like a little mat that gives off heat? This would work wonderfully to provide the heat needed.

First Ray's (see ad on this page) sells seedling mats. The Phals would love that. I agree that clear pots are good because Phal roots photosynthesize and this way they can get some light and you can see what's going on in the root zone much better. I also agree that it needs a small pot for a small root structure.

Do you think the "tiny root node with two small leaves" is a basal keiki?

It sounds like a basal keiki.

What's a basal keiki?