Plant in Semi-Hydro Going Down Fast...

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by PlumCrazy

I have been kicking myself for taking it out of the spag. After 3 years it FINALLY had some growth, so I should have just let him be happy in there! It was the fact that I wanted to put him in my case that did him in, i.e. vanity. Didn’t want fungus gnats in the case. As I’ve learned, the case will be too humid for him anyway, but I’ve found a home for him in my office now where I can enjoy him.

DityCoconuts – When it was infested, I’d been using toothpicks to get in there kill the bugs by stabbing them/ opening the leaves to pour in alcohol, but hadn’t thought about wedging the leaves open more permanently by placing them horizontally. I think I may try that *steady hands, steady hands* if it needs further drying out.

The good news is, as of right now, it looks like those remaining two leaves have not started rotting yet. It does have some roots at this point (the spag did help with that) and when I was transplanting him this morning, I even saw a tiny little nub of a new root forming.

Question: should I put it back in the spag then? I really am listening about not changing the medium, but this is in one day, so I think it’s a little different. If I do, I promise I will let him settle in

You should put it into whatever medium YOU are most comfortable growing it in. If it was working in spagh, and that's where you were seeing improvement, yes, please put it back in spagh. I realize it's only been repotted for a day, so no harm, no foul.

Yes, I thought DC's schooching a toothpick in there for air flow was a great idea. I've used toothpicks to get alcohol down into Tolumnia, Brass, etc, by opening it up while spraying... but the air flow thing is a good idea. That's why I said remove the leaves that are rotten to base. All they're gonna do is keep rotting, and hopefully not start in on the leaf next to it. So remove or toothpick. And let us know how it goes!

[PlumCrazy]

Ok. The little guys is still alive. I've been letting him sit on a heating mat since August. What can I do to get him growing again, or should I let him be until spring? He does seem to have a few new roots growing. I dare not move the potting medium to see exactly what is going on.

No new leaf growth. No fungus gnats. No mealy bugs in the entire house

[Ray]

That looks entirely too dry for a paph.

I recommend the following:

►Using warm water, make up a solution of 1 tablespoon/gallon KelpMax and immerse the entire plant for an hour or two.

►Without rinsing, pot it up, and water it in with that solution.

►For the next two waterings, use the KelpMax solution at that same concentration.

After that, keep that coarse bark moist and add KelpMax once a month.

[WaterWitchin]

What Ray says will work, other than potting up. Don’t repot again. Maybe put into a cache pot that’s a tight fit.

[Ray]

My recommendation to pot it up is to put it into its “permanent” growing conditions, so the new roots will immediately become tailored to the conditions as they emerge and grow.

[WaterWitchin]

I thought that was what OP had done after last go-round of conversation. Which I was really pushing for. That’s why she didn’t want to disturb roots again.

[estación seca]

This orchid has been repotted far too often already. If it lives it will grow when spring comes. That's very large bark, so water frequently. I would water every 2-3 days.

[PlumCrazy]

Thank you all for the replies. Yes, I repotted back in August and also gave it a thorough soaking in KelpMax. I sprayed it with KelpMax a few times after that, but have stopped now that it is winter. I'll try giving it water a bit more frequently, and hopefully will see growth come spring.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by PlumCrazy

Thank you all for the replies. Yes, I repotted back in August and also gave it a thorough soaking in KelpMax. I sprayed it with KelpMax a few times after that, but have stopped now that it is winter. I'll try giving it water a bit more frequently, and hopefully will see growth come spring.

Why stop the KelpMax? If you want roots to grow and the plant to recover, keep up the regimen.

If the plant has any roots at all, watering is a more effective uptake route. I never mist plants with KelpMax. The soak is only necessary if the plant has no roots, and gives a lot more time for uptake than misting ever would.

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[lithic]

I know this is late, it might help someone else with the same symptoms. Use an eyedropper or a pipette with a squeeze bulb. Add a few drops of Physan 20 to the area of rot. I use it on my Phalaenopsis, Catts, Brasso's, Phaps and Catasetum when I have a problem.

It will kill the fungus and disinfect the plant and medium. It will not hurt the plant. You can also add 1 tsp. to a gallon of water with your fertilizer and water your plants with it once a month as a preventative. I use it on both semi-hydro and the phals I have in moss. I usually wait until spring so I have root and leaf growth before repotting into semi hydro. I grow under lights. Hope this helps.