s/h update

[MT-Phal]

So after a brief hiatus in coconut chips, I've switched back to S/H. I did so b/c the only roots my phal currently has are small ones that barely skim the surface, and I couldn't seem to keep the chips moist enough without problems of mold. I figured if I'm going to be constantly watering, it might as well be in s/h. I purchased some sphagnum moss as a supplement, and used it just around the base of the plant to keep those small roots moist until they grow down into the media. It's been doing a pretty good job at that, however I'm currently trying to get those roots to keep growing. For some reason they seem to be stuck in limbo. I've attached a couple pics below.





I also figure that my phal is in a bit of a funk, b/c there seem to be two new leaves coming... but one of which only grew maybe two inches. I'm a little surprised that the older leaves are still around considering how little roots there are... it all just makes my plant look a little funny...

that big leaf is from my first attempt at s/h, when there was a full root system in place. It grew at record pace and is the best leaf that the plant has ever produced.

[RosieC]

I think the stunted leaf is because of the lack of roots. It may carry on growing a bit with the other one because I've seen two growing together sometimes.

I'm afraid I can't really advise on why the roots have stopped growing, except that I see mine sometimes stop and then restart again so it may just be one of those things.

[Pilot]

Bottom heat.... solves my stubborn phal issues every time. By applying bottom heat, it is my theory, that it increases the rate of evaporation and wicking the hydroton is known to do and coaxes those stubborn roots to get going. If the plant has stopped growing, it means its gotten a cue to do just that... less light? Not enough water? Not enough fert? I bet heat is the biggest factor here (both in terms of generating more humidity and providing a seasonal clue to grow)... so if you can, grab yourself a seeding mat or any garden-variety heating pad and put the plant on top of it.

[MT-Phal]

hey Pilot,

Already have one. It's on it 24/7. The problem I find is that it keeps the bottom to midsection of the media warm, but the top stays cool.

[trdyl]

Are you using a liquid root stimulator? If not it would help.

[MT-Phal]

Thanks for the input, everyone.


I've just started watering with KLN in my mix again. I used it to kick start new growth, and upon Ray's advice I'm using it now to hopefully reboot growth.

[MT-Phal]

So I noticed last night that the root destroying fungus that I had a few months ago, before I switched back to coconut chips, is returning. This is strange to me as I've been watering with physan, using the recommended dosage.

What can I do? I flushed with a bleach solution last night, but I really don't want this being an long term problem...


Original thread on the issue is here:

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...yone-seen.html

[Ray]

Physan is a topical disinfectant.from your description, you seem to be suffering from a systemic fungal problem, and the moist environment of the s/h pot apparently favors it.

However, I must ask if you are possibly over-analyzing the situation a bit. Looking back at the photo in the old thread, it looks to me simply like old roots failing in the new - and different - environment, which is to be expected.

[MT-Phal]

hmm... okay. I thought that fungus had killed those roots b/c they looked really bizarre with those hard bumps, and a white substance appeared on those roots that didn't look like anything I had experienced before. I thought that physan was also a fungacide? Any idea on what I can do to get rid of it, anyway? Or should I just run a bleach solution through it every couple weeks?

[Ray]

Physan is a fungicide - and bactericide, algaecide and virucide - probably more effective than a dilute bleach treatment.

My thinking is that you do not have a fungus killing the roots. You have dying roots being consumed by the fungus, which is to be expected.