Neophyte Question re: Roots, Scapes - Orchid Board

randyroofwalker · #1 10-05-2009, 05:06 PM

First of all, I am new to this board, and would just like to say hello to everyone. I never ever thought that I would be posting on an Orchid Web Board!

I also am new to puchasing, and growing orchids for my home. I just bought a Phal Wedding Promenade at the grocery store a couple of months ago. I had some beautiful blooms the first month, or so. Now the blooms have all dropped, and the scape(?)I believe it is called, has dried up even though the leaves are green, and thriving. My concerns are the roots, and the scape. I have attached a couple of photos. Can anyone tell if these roots are rotting, and if I should transplant this Phal? Also, am I supposed to cut back the scape, or will more blooms appear eventually? As I metioned it looks rather dry...

Thank you, and kind regards,

randyroofwalker

camille1585 · #2 10-05-2009, 05:16 PM

The flower stems are called spikes.

A spike drying out after blooming is completely normal. Some phals will have spikes that brown quickly, and others will stay green a long long time and possibly either rebloom or grow keikis (small plants on the spike). It just depends on the plant and it's genetics.

As for the roots, I'm a bit concerned because we can't see any healthy roots through the pot. Either they are deeper in the sphagnum, or they have rotted. Sphagnum can be a good medium when packed loosely, but the problem is that growers pack it way to tight and it doesn't dry out correctly. It might be a good idea for you to unpot your phal and have a look at the root system, and eventually repot into a different medium.

Hirschy · #3 10-05-2009, 05:26 PM

welcome! agreed, just cut the spike down at the base if its dried up... also the bottom two leaves look pretty done so you can probably remove those as well

randyroofwalker · #4 10-05-2009, 05:42 PM

Wow! That was fast!

Hello camille, and hirschy. Thanks for your quick replies, and advice.

I actually removed the two bottom leaves before I posted. I will now cut the spike down, and have a look at the roots....what should I look for? If they are rotted is there anything I can do to revive them? Also, when repotting, is Miricle - gro potting mix okay to use? Many thanks!

Charmkp · #5 10-05-2009, 05:45 PM

I totally agree with Camile, cut off the old spike and repot the plant using a different medium other than the moss. In the tropics we use charcoal mixed with fern roots and find it works well for us.
By the way,

to OB.

camille1585 · #6 10-05-2009, 05:50 PM

Roots that are nice and firm are healthy roots. They may be green or white or yellowish. Bad roots are anything that is mushy and/or hollow. You can cut those off. Seeing how the leaves are nice, there are probably some good roots down there. As for the potting mix, I'm not in the US so can't comment on that mix. If you mean Miracle Gro potting mix like soil, don't use that, it's a big no-no, it will kill the orchid very quickly by lack of air circulation around the roots. Orchids need airy medium, and usually these are bark based. You can find special medium for orchids quite easier, but sometimes they have too many fine particles. Hopefully someone from the US will be able to tell you what bagged stuff is good.

randyroofwalker · #7 10-05-2009, 06:00 PM

Thanks camille!

So how 'bout it? Can someone recommed an airy medium, and bark based bagged mix?

Hey camille - France, and The Netherlands, huh? Sounds Great!

RosieC · #8 10-06-2009, 07:46 AM

I'm in the UK so havn't tried this site, but others here on OB have recomended it before.

rePotme Orchid Supplies - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Care - Orchid Fertilizer

Also Ray has some good advise on his website about how to choose a medium which is right for you. It can be dependent on a lot of factors, so I advise reading what he has to say before making a choice.

Choosing Potting Media

ohanahana · #9 10-06-2009, 08:33 AM

hey there

i would NOT use the miracle gro potting mix either--it compacts and i've lost about 3 young phals by overwatering. i have some mounted--because i'm such an overwater-er!!

nutgirl · #10 10-06-2009, 10:51 AM

Welcome from a fellow N.Californian!

You need to get it out of the moss and into something better. I'm guessing, from previous experience, you will find some rotted roots. Cut them off and clean out all the moss. It won't hurt it to be 'bare root' for a little bit while you sort things out.

Home Depot, Lowes, OSH all carry bark based orchid potting mediums. Don't get anything that looks or feels like potting soil. My OSH (yours too, probably) carries individual bags of perlite, charcoal, bark if you want to mix your own.

Maureen