Phal crown rot remedy with S/H

[JaneEyre]

Hello,
I have just joined this forum and had some time to browse though several postings. I have to say, I am overwhelmed how helpful everyone is. This is a very positive community and I am so glad I joined.

I am hoping I would get some suggestions to my sickly phal. I will try to be short, but here is a history of my orchid.

I got this healthy NoID phal in late 2009 at a local COSTCO. I think this phal resembles Sogo F-1138 but I can't be sure. In any case, the plant bloomed for 6 months and I thought I was doing good.

Once it stopped blooming, I cut the spike half way and left the plant on the windowsill in hopes for more blooms. Instead, the plant started growing a new leaf. After few months of growth, I noticed the leaf never opened up but stayed in a closed funnel shape. I repotted phal into sphagnum moss and started researching for leaf deformity. I got some very good suggestions and instructions from "orchidhelp" mail list to cut the leaf to open it up, so I did. It was also suggested that the orchid wasn't getting enough light, but that's another problem.

Few days later, I noticed the bottom leaf yellowing. At first I thought it's just shedding its old leaf; however the leaf drastically started getting worse, changed color to brown.

After reading more info on the orchids, I concluded it must be crown rot. I un-potted the orchid and sure enough it was. I realized my problem: in my inexperience, I packed moss way too dense and it probably been soggy for weeks. I cut the leaf off and gently scraped remaining rot as much as possible. I poured some hydrogen peroxide (3%) on the wound and dusted it with cinnamon. I wrung out moss, potted phal back (I removed half the volume of moss) and bagged it. It has been two weeks and it appears to be doing OK. It is tough to say if it is growing any new roots.

At this moment, I am wondering if putting this orchid in S/H would do it any good. I read all the wonderful things about S/H and can't help but think it will be a magical remedy. I have been monitoring phal's moisture levels in the bag, but I am afraid to take it out and water it. This is my first orchid; I have few later additions, but I am very much attached to this one. I really want this little one to survive. Any suggestions?

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

Sounds like you've done the right things so far.

Strictly speaking crown rot is when it starts in the top leaves, which I don't think is what you are describing, but my understanding from what you have said is that it's the lowest leaf which was rotting arround the base.

So... were the roots rotted as well/has it lost it's roots or was it just the leaf?

Was the plant firm underneath the base of the leaf you removed, was it just the one leaf? (I've had that before, if caught quick enough the rot has not spread into the core of the plant).

If the roots are OK and not rotted then I would not bother with the bag. In this situation that might just cause more mold or rot. Also if the roots were OK then there is probably not much else you need to do. Just keep caring for it.

[RosieC]

Just an additional note on moss. It works great for some people, for others it's the orchid killer. (Actually would never use it for phals but love it for Masdevallia orchids).

It mostly depends on your enviroment, your watering habbits and on the plant.

What you will find here is that many folks (but not all) advise the use of bark or bark mixes for phals. What I advise is that you need to look at how quickly it dries. If the moss takes longer than a week to dry (2 weeks at the very outside, but best not much longer than a week) then it is not the right medium.

Note that it needs to dry all the way down, not just at the top which can go hard and crispy when it's still too wet lower down. The net pot you have may help judge that, the other method is a clear plastic pot so you can see the roots at the bottom (when green they are still wet, when silvery they are ready for watering).

If it is drying too slowly then a mix with something slower drying like bark will be helpful (or complete bark).

Also note, incase you've not come accross this before, that in standard medium like moss or bark it's easiest to avoid rot by letting Phals dry between waterings, water when they have gone dry but try not to leave it much longer.

[JaneEyre]

Rosie,

Thank you for your suggestions. I removed the bag as soon as I got home from work. I noticed small mold forming on the leaves already.

When I un-potted the orchid, the roots did start to rot. Only two roots where healthy. I trimmed all the rot, leaving two good roots and whatever is left of the bad ones (about 1" to 2" in length).

You are right, I am not used to the moss. It is naturally humid in my area (about 50-80% in winter) and I guess I didn't give the moss a chance to dry. This is one of the reasons I wonder if S/H might be better for my environment. For now, I will monitor phal as much as i can and let nature do its healing.

Thank you again for your wonderful help!

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome.
S/H is a great culture option for a lot of growers, my self included however, it is not a "magic remedy". Once your phal starts sprouting roots would be the better time to repot into S/H.
Joann

[gnathaniel]

Net pots are a great choice for growing plants in sphagnum, as they allow the moss to stay airy and also let you see what's going on. Another way to 'open up' sphag in pots is to include a few ordinary styrofoam packing peanuts in the middle so it drains fast and doesn't stay soggy. Good luck rehabbing your plant, it looks like you probably caught it in time!

--Nat

[RosieC]

I like S/H but as Joann said you really need to transfer orchids once they have new roots growing.

Do you have a smaller pot? If there are only a couple of roots then it's best to pot them in the smallest pot that can fit the roots in. That helps drying as well, masses of moss with no roots dries pretty slowly.

[JaneEyre]

I do have a smaller net pot. Thanks for advice; it didn't even occur to me to pot it into a smaller one. I will do that. I think my phal will make it

Thank you again for warm welcome and help! I am very grateful.


NJ