Need help with my hausermann Phal

[Tim P.]

Hi everyone.
Just got my chid order today from hausermanns. I bought a phal in sphag and a paph in bark. ( paph 2.5" phal 6" pot). I took the phal out of the pot when I got it and noticed a few roots and root tips were rotten, Wich is to be expected in sphag. Others looked like they were hovering between life and death, but yet others were healthy while yet others are yellow/whitish, but not rotten! It is not in a clear pot, sooooo is this ok? Might it just be because the roots have not had the chance to photosynthesize( the white ones)? It is also in spike right now, wont bloom for at least a month yet. I took some sphag out of the pot because it was heavily packed. I spent a lot of money on it hopefully I can keep it. First orchid I have bought from hausermanns. Btw. I will be repotting it into bark after blooming, Wich may be next Marh if I can keep the roots healthy in the sphag. It is a very established plant. The spike is very impressive.

Now that I have written my book feel free to give me your thoughts. Thanks!

[nenella]

Pics would help you get better advice on what to do! Hope you can post some of all the above 'problems'
good luck!

[Zoi2]

The white roots in the sphag are fine if they are firm.
Joann

[glengary54]

Tim - If you have gone as far as you have looking to see the conditions of the roots on the Phal and feel that they are not as good as you would want them to be and place the blame squarely on the sphagnum moss, why would you choose to wait to repot it? Phals don't mind being repotted, even in bloom, even if they did why would you risk the life of the plant for the sake of the flower spike? My advice to you is to repot it now into your bark mix before it has a chance to go any further down hill. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Eyebabe]

I don't care what the plant was potted in...if I just received it, it better be in impeccable health!

Call Hausermann! They are wonderful to deal with and let them know the condition of the roots of your phal is unacceptable.
They should allow you to return it, or maybe just send pics and they will replace it with a healthier plant.

You purchased a healthy plant. If you did not receive one, call the vendor.

[jebar77]

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

I don't care what the plant was potted in...if I just received it, it better be in impeccable health!

Call Hausermann! They are wonderful to deal with and let them know the condition of the roots of your phal is unacceptable.
They should allow you to return it, or maybe just send pics and they will replace it with a healthier plant.

You purchased a healthy plant. If you did not receive one, call the vendor.

i completely agree, especially if you payed good money for it.

[Tim P.]

Just uploaded pics.... sorry for the bad quality.

The first one is a white root along the edge. Second one is the crown, obviously no crown rot. Third is the whole plant. Fourth is the plant minus the spike. Sixth and seventh is my tiny little paph sooo cute

[Tim P.]

Originally Posted by glengary54

Tim - If you have gone as far as you have looking to see the conditions of the roots on the Phal and feel that they are not as good as you would want them to be and place the blame squarely on the sphagnum moss, why would you choose to wait to repot it? Phals don't mind being repotted, even in bloom, even if they did why would you risk the life of the plant for the sake of the flower spike? My advice to you is to repot it now into your bark mix before it has a chance to go any further down hill. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Really? I have been in the understanding my during my whole orchid growing time that it is bad for them to be repotted while in bloom and/or in spike? Thanks for the heads up! Why do people say that? .... Im also sitting on the fence becasue it does have buds on it... so i really dont want to have them drop off they are bout the size of a pea or a bit larger... think it will matter?

[glengary54]

Originally Posted by Tim P.

Really? I have been in the understanding my during my whole orchid growing time that it is bad for them to be repotted while in bloom and/or in spike? Thanks for the heads up! Why do people say that? .... Im also sitting on the fence becasue it does have buds on it... so i really dont want to have them drop off they are bout the size of a pea or a bit larger... think it will matter?

I really don't think you have a thing to worry about. If the moss is at all damp, you will not be disturbing the roots at all as long as you are careful. Your plant will thank you in the long run by being a healthier plant. One thing i will say, make sure if you do decide to repot now, that you presoak the bark mix and do not pot it into dry media.

[Merlyn]

And presoak should be overnight at least.