Shocked plants

[fishmommy]

I have two species phals that each received a bad shock to their system over the winter.

My Phal. amboinensis had its crown broken off, and my Phal. violacea got mites and had to be sprayed down with insecticide.

Anyway, both plants have gone completely dormant with no new roots, leaves, or spikes since the damage was done. It's been about 5 months for both with nothing. How long should I expect to wait, and is there anything I can do to stimulate them?

[zxyqu]

If the roots that are still there are healthy, I'd recommend just waiting it out. Species are more ornery than most. You could try a little KLN or Kelpak, but that's really for root growth (mainly lateral in my use) and I'm not too sure how much it'd stimulate anything else.

[Bud]

superthrive and sphag n bag for the amboinensis...the one with mites is just shocked by the chemical but might not be dead...flush it in the sink for 5 minutes in water to clear the roots...if you put both of them out under the shade of trees this warmer months it might perk up...

[Mervin]

Yes, a little bit of warmth should gave it a kick start it.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Bud

superthrive and sphag n bag for the amboinensis

I'm not sure why you would want to do this. It's not the roots but the crown, so why disturb it more by removing it's medium to sphag-n-bag it? Just wondering

Personally I would just wait it out on both of them. Winter is not the time for growth or movement. A plant that's been shocked will probably get going late in the spring, but spring is still the time to see something.

I would water with luke warm, or even slightly warmer water as this can help kick growth out of a sulking plant in the spring.

[Island Girl]

Wow RosieC, that's interesting! I will have to try that on my unhappy orchids