Phal crisis--dial 911?
 

Well, I made a dumb beginner's mistake and need advice. I received a magnificent phal that has great personal value to me and after a week of no water but just some misting, I placed the pot in the sink and poured about six cups of distilled water on it, careful not to get any in the crown, but overlooking the fact that the pot had no drainage holes. So the roots have been soaked for about twenty hours. I poured out all the water just now after discovering there was no way for the pot to drain. There are two flower spikes in full bloom. Should I take the phal apart and either put it in a basket or mount to keep the roots from dying or is it too late?

I'm not an expert, but my guess is that you'll be fine if it was just 24 hours. THere are folks that soak various orchids for a while (maybe not quite 24 hours). Also, they could get a torrential rain for 24 hours, and still be ok.

I guess it would depend upon the potting media and how well it will allow air to get to the roots.

A 24 hour soak is not a problem. The medium in the pot needs to dry out now. Is it planted in bark or sphagnum moss?

Soil
 

The medium is a mixture of bark chips, bits of sphagnum moss and some white peddles mixed throughout. It actually came from a florist, so I don't know how they cared for it. But it seems hearty. I guess I can run distilled water into the pot once a week and drain it immediately afterwards until I can come up with a alternative repotting solution.

You don't say what the pot is made of, but if there is any possibility of punching drainage holes in the pot, I would do it. With plastic it is easy--a Dremel or other punching device. With no holes at all, it is easy to leave water pooling in the bottom, which will promote rotten roots.

Are you sure there is not a thin plastic container inside the decorative one? This would allow you to remove the plant from its non-draining home, water it, and replace it. If you don't have this arrangement, I would create it immediately, especially if you value this particular plant.

Now that's a thought. The pot is neither plastic nor ceramic. I'd bet I can make some holes in the bottom fit. Thanks fish mom!

Or you can dump out all of the substrate and keep it "bare rooted" until you can get some bark. But that's just me and I'm no expert (I'm really an orchid newbie but this is what I would do with my other plants who had water logged potting medium).

From the left menu choose Forums then Beginners. Near the top is a sticky thread you will find useful. "The phal abuse ends here."

Until then you can continue drenching it and pouring off the excess. If you have a it in a pot in pot situation, just put a saucer in the bottom to hold the plant up a bit. That way it won't sit in water.

A 24-hour soak isn't going to be harmful. Your orchid will be fine. I agree, also, with those who suggest punching some holes in the bottom of the pot. A few in the sides as well would help.