Phal Help!

[RalphJones]

Hello all!

First timer here, and have learned a lot from several other treads such as "Phal abuse ends here". But I was wondering if some of you may be able to help me out with some of my orchids. I think all three were the "Just add ice" cheep ones found at Walmart (I do a once a week or so good watering). After all had lost their blooms I found they were all in bad shape from rot root from over watering before I bought them.

I re-potted all and two seem to be doing alright, one is not.

First case (pic 1&2) - Phal is sending new roots out, although no new leaf growth and is sending out a spike as well. Question I had was it has a dark purple color around the stem and under the leaves, is this too much light? I know some purple is considered alright, but am I giving mine a too much? Should I leave the spike or cut it and encourage other growth?

Second case (pic 3) - Phal did not have as extensive root damage and I was able to save some good roots. Re-potted and has lost about three medium bottom leaves. Worried about it and hope it does not lose another. Does this one look healthy to all of you? Any suggestions to encourage leaf growth?

Third case (pic 4&5) - Phal had sever root rot, and had only 1 or 2 good roots left. Plant began to wilt badly. I decided water culture may be the only way to rescue it. Crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

Thanks to any suggestions or comments you all may have. Let me know if you would like any additional info!

Cheers!

[Leafmite]

I bought a rootless, wilted leaf phal that is recovering mounted with a little moss. I soak it well ever other day. I've never tried water culture before but I've heard that others have had success with it. Good luck, hope you keep us posted.
Leafmite

[Vanda lover]

The first one does look like you could reduce the light a little, but it looks pretty healthy. I have used water culture to rescue a plant and it can work. There are still some good roots on that one. The small one looks good, it isn't over potted, which is important

[tucker85]

I wouldn't worry about the dark purple color. Some varieties tend to have the purple color and others don't. It's completely normal. Personally, I wouldn't reduce the light. If a phal is getting too much light it will be pale green color.
I certainly wouldn't cut off a new flower spike. If the plant didn't have enough energy it wouldn't spike. I think you should enjoy the flowers.
The leaves that are left on the second plant look healthy to me. Can enough air get to the roots? If those pots only have one hole in the bottom and its covered because it's sitting on the table, then the roots aren't going to get much air.

[quiltergal]

I agree with Tucker. I would not worry about the color of the first one. I have a couple that are naturally dark in color, and their spikes are as well.

I also agree that keeping them in tight cache pots may not allow the root zone to get enough air.

[RalphJones]

Thanks. I plan on getting some ceramic pots that allow air to get in once I find some I like, but at the moment I usually take them out of the outer pot and just leave them in the clear plastic inner pot that I have put multiple holes in. But I agree, having a single pot for air exchange would be great.

Would you recommend putting them in something like moss instead of the bark chips they are in now? I would have to re-pot them soon since they have no blooms at the moment, and was wondering if I should change up the medium.

[Zoi2]

For my 2 cents: Use the potting media you are most comfortable with.
I would also suggest you raise the plants a bit from the media. They look to me as they are planted a bit deep. Having the crown of the plant that close to the media will invite moisture into the crown and will lead to crown rot.
Joann

[calypsoB]

On your plant that is in water culture I would recommend giving it some extra humidity. Take it into the shower with you and leave it in there for a bit. Or if you have a glass cake cover get a spice bottle fill with boiling water cover the plant and water with the cake cover. It might help rehydrate the leaves and make up for the loss of roots. Good luck!

[sii]

Originally Posted by calypsoB

On your plant that is in water culture I would recommend giving it some extra humidity. Take it into the shower with you and leave it in there for a bit. Or if you have a glass cake cover get a spice bottle fill with boiling water cover the plant and water with the cake cover. It might help rehydrate the leaves and make up for the loss of roots. Good luck!

what a great idea!!

[calypsoB]

Thanks! I am currently doing something like this with my rootless catt (actually now growing a baby root).