Is There Life After Root Burn
 

Having trouble with my Phal *sigh* . After noticing that the roots were rotting, I took it out of its pot and chunky bark mix and trimmed the roots back. There were several viable roots still left, but some still had black spots so I treated them with Physan 20. I followed the directions carefully on the Physan 20 bottle. I then treated the bark mix as well and went out and bought a dedicated fan for the orchids since maybe the initial problem was the fact that the air has been hot, stagnant, and very humid.

I repotted the plant back and even filled the pot with 2 inches of styrofoam to take up some of the excess space since the root mass was now substantially smaller and got rid of a lot of the bark mix so it would be more airy and less densely packed.

The next day, I went to check on my Phal and the roots were completely desicated. I mean, twig like...still green, but they were so so dry. Obviously, the Physan 20 was too strong and burned the roots. Since then, the media has been drying up every single day so I have been watering it and placing it by the fan so by the end of the day, it won't be damp in the mix. The plant is still alive and the leaves are kind of swollen towards the tip and have split sightly at the tips as well. Last night, I felt some water coming out from those tips.

I am just not sure at this point if it will survive or if I should just throw in the towel with this particular plant :(

If a liquid is coming out of the leaves, it sounds like a bacterial (?) issue... Whatever it is, be sure to separate it from all of your other plants! This type of thing can spread VERY VERY easily, by touching the affected plant, with your hands or a skewer or something, then touching another, even. Can spread thru water drops too, in some cases (how it spreads, depends on what it is.)
This is a good pdf, that Ms. Sue Bottom wrote, that member LeafMite posted recently, it's really good. The other link is fabulous too, had this one bookmarked forever! I'd suggest bookmarking these for future use, they're good to have :)

http://www.houstonorchidsociety.org/...ySueBottom.pdf

Orchid Diseases

Saving a Phal after a root rot is possible but.. it's a looooong process. You have to ask yourself if there's a reason for such a commitment. It might take up to a year to just grow a few roots. And then another - for a leaf or two......
Sometimes we do it for sentimental reasons or out of curiousity, or as part of an experiment when trying a new technique.

Personally, I find it easier if I have a few Phals with a similar condition - a few healthy ones, a few in recovery. Then I can treat them as a group and observe changes.

As a very general rule, you want to keep a Phal on a dry side, let it dry completely and then moisten the area around roots lightly, then let it dry out again. After a few long weeks or months, it often results in some root growth.

I use seaweed with sprays.

Again, it's up to you if you think it's worth it the time and effort.

Good luck! :waving

Hi WildOrchid,

I do appreciate your very honest feedback. Last night, I began re-examing the roots before I decided to make the final decision to toss it. While it was free of media, I flipped it over and it had started developing white spots under the leaves and a 75% of the roots were entirely desicated. The only roots that were left were the very short ones in the very center of the plant (the ones right under the crown) and even those weren't looking so good.

Painfully, I came to the decision to toss it since it could potentially make my other orchids sick. I don't haveFrom reading other posters' recommendations on other issues, I had wanted to start using the liquid kelp so I did pick up some of that yesterday and will start applying it with my next watering.

Sorry to hear about your loss! We've all been through it, and times and times again.
It sounds like you're ready for a new start! :)

Just my 2:twocents: - when you get a new orchid, repot it right away.

Best of wishes
WO

Sorry for your loss... I've done this too, so I certainly feel your pain :(

On the bright side, you have room for a new orchid! :evil: