Phalaenopsis no ID crown rot with possible new basal growth - will it survive?
 

Hello all, I got a new Phal from a medical practice that probably buys new ones from the shops every month and throw the old ones out. Growing conditions probably weren't the best. So I removed the ornamental moss and took it out of its pot. It still had 3 leaves, and quite a lot of healthy looking roots and a dead flower spike. So then I notices there was a shriveled black thing at the crown and the bottom leaf although healthy looking was half off. I've removed all the old sphagnum moss, cut away dead roots and repotted in quite a coarse bark/charcoal mix which I only had time to soak for about 15 mins - usually I do overnight at least but I was really worried about this little guy so didn't want to wait. So it also has what almost looks like. Flower spike growing out the side and on the opposite side a new root tip. This is below the two remaining leaves. I removed the loose lower leaf. I've dusted it with cinnamon and put cinnamon in the crown. I gave it a good watering, and plan to just leave it alone for 2 weeks before I give it anything else. I'll post some pictures. Two questions from more experienced growers 1- will it survive? 2- should I fertilize? Foliar feed since even though the roots are still plump and green when wet I didn't see any actively growing root tips and I know they only absorb nutrients via the root tips. I also don't want to stress the plant by giving too much fertilizer if that will impede recovery - although it made its own basal growth before I even got it so it was probably doing ok where it was - don't think anyone was watering it which probably also helped it.

Some more pics, can't seem to upload multiples

This is the basal growth I think!

Last pic

The growth in the third pic looks like another flower spike.

should survive
 

I agree that the growth looks like a flower spike. I have had a little experience with crown rot, and the ones I had grew basal kiekis. the main plant may not grow anymore with the crown damage, but it should live to support kiekis

Hello all, thanks for all the input! The more I look at it and pics on the Internet, and from my own experience I think this may just be a basal Keiki, yay!! I'm really hoping it is! In terms of watering, I watered when I repotted, three days ago, but forgot to weigh it at the time so I don't know if it's dried out much so far. I did mention that the bark hadn't been soaked for very long prior to using, and so now I'm not sure how longm I should wait to water. Usually when I repot I used to use a lot of sphagnum moss and bark together and then id leave it for two weeks minimum. The bark however is looking very dry and the roots are no longer green as they were just after watering. I know however that overwatering kills more orchids than anything else so am hesitant to just water at will. I've placed it on an upside down ramekin in a plate with about a cm or so water in the bottom to raise humidity around it. Any advice would be appreciated. It still looks healthy, the leaves are firm not droopy or wrinkled or leathery like orchids I've had with root rot due to overwatering.

I hope the best for your orchid! I had similar situation with my first phal orchid I got from TJ's, crown rot, lost all the leaves but the bottom two, put cinnamon in the crown, saved it. But unlike yours, mine just grew a ton of roots rather than developing a basal keiki, it's been about half an year, it's still alive and the leaves are firm and healthy, the root system doubled in length, just no sign of new growth. So I think if your orchid has a basal keiki it's probably pulling through!

A basal keiki grows at the base of the plant, below the growing medium. The pic you're showing is of a flower spike, not a basal keiki.

Hello all, just a quick update. I haven't got a pic to post just yet. Plant is doing well, the two remaining leaves are still green and firm, and the Keiki is growing fast. It's definitely not a flower spike after all, as the tip is splitting and one can now see two little leaves taking shape. Will post a pic later when I get home!