Dry, Shriveled Phal roots

[CasKinka]

Originally Posted by nenella

Just my 2 cents worth for a start.... I would soak in KLN to promote new root growth, also keep the medium on the drier side as, this too promotes root growth and, watch leaves don't go completely floppy by providing more humid conditions to the leaves. (put a bag over the leaves but not the whole pot as medium needs to dry out could be a method but depends on your growing conditions). Good Luck!

Please excuse my ignorance, whats KLN?

so much for the advice!

[nenella]

Just an example of a rooting hormone you can buy.

[silken]

I notice you said it was re-potted 3 weeks ago. How were the roots then? Did you soak the bark? If not or even if you did, new bark doesn't absorb much water and it may just be that the plant is dry and needs watering before the week is past. stick a bamboo kebab skewer down into the middle of the pot and leave it there. 5 daays after watering, pull it out and see how wet or dry it is and begin adjusting your watering schedule from there. It should be almost dry or dry but not be allowed to dry our for days at a time. Once the bark gets a bit older, it will hold more moisture and you may have to change the watering schedule. Put the skewer back in the same place so you don't poke holes all over in the roots.

I find many of my pink or purple flowered Phals have the purple pigment in the leaves like yours. A south window could be too much sun but since you said it is well filtered light, it may be fine. Just make sure the leaves aren't warm when the sun is on them or its too much, especially if it has limited roots to bring moisture up.

I agree on using some KLN to stimulate some root growth too. Some of the powder hormones work for many plants but are too strong for orchid roots and burn them. Seaweed is supposed to work well too.

[nenella]

I agree with all Silken has said to you. The skewer method is a fabulous way to learn when to water.

[CasKinka]

Originally Posted by silken

I notice you said it was re-potted 3 weeks ago. How were the roots then? Did you soak the bark? If not or even if you did, new bark doesn't absorb much water and it may just be that the plant is dry and needs watering before the week is past. stick a bamboo kebab skewer down into the middle of the pot and leave it there. 5 daays after watering, pull it out and see how wet or dry it is and begin adjusting your watering schedule from there. It should be almost dry or dry but not be allowed to dry our for days at a time. Once the bark gets a bit older, it will hold more moisture and you may have to change the watering schedule. Put the skewer back in the same place so you don't poke holes all over in the roots.

I find many of my pink or purple flowered Phals have the purple pigment in the leaves like yours. A south window could be too much sun but since you said it is well filtered light, it may be fine. Just make sure the leaves aren't warm when the sun is on them or its too much, especially if it has limited roots to bring moisture up.

I agree on using some KLN to stimulate some root growth too. Some of the powder hormones work for many plants but are too strong for orchid roots and burn them. Seaweed is supposed to work well too.

I repotted it because the medium was rotting. It was in moss when I got it, and I noticed it was kind of mushy and damp all the time so I put it in a bark/charcoal medium. It's called Better-Gro SPecial Orchid Mix this stuff: Amazon.com: Sun Bulb 5002 Better-Gro Special Orchid Mix, 8 Quarts

I soaked it for half a day, rinsed off all the dust and then repotted it.

I will definitely try the skewer trick and check it in 5 days.

Just bought the KLN will keep you guys updated!
!!!!!!!!!!!

[keithrs]

I'll tell you how I recover "sick" Phal's that people bring to me...

I soak the plant in RO water for 5 min to see if there is any roots left, than I cut off all dead roots, make sure to sterilize any tools before-during-and after use, let it dry out, then I give them a bath in a tea(brewed over night) I make out of worm casting, molasses, kelp, and fish fertilizer than pot it. I put it in a grow tent that has good air movement and high humidity. Water it as normal. Keep it about 70-80 f ideally. In about a month or 2 you should see new roots and possibly a new leaf. Keep it between 60-85 F, 60-80% humidity and good light and you should have no problem recovering it with a little luck.

I use the tea instead of salt based fertilizer. I feel the tea has bacteria that protects the plant from problems that cause rot.

[Rowangreen]

I'm pretty much a beginner myself by the way, but learning fast...

It is looking like a similar situation to mine: starting a bit of rot, then, once in a better medium, the already damaged roots dried out a bit. Though with mine, there were/are roots that were dry at the top but greener down below, and some that stayed good.

If you have any that are dried just at the top, then definitely keep those for now. Even if the outside at the top is dead, I know from mine that there can still be a core inside that can transmit water to the plant.

I think the danger you have to watch out for is that because you've already had rot, and have some dried out, dead parts to your roots, you've got a risk of rot starting up again. So I think for that reason you are better to keep things on the dry side. Phal's like to dry between waterings anyway, and it's important in this case I think.

On the bad side, your leaves do look pretty dry too, which means the plant may be low on resources and not getting enough water... but if the roots are totally dead, there's a limit to what you can do about that.

One bit of good news: in the first picture I can see what look like a couple of new roots starting (the little green bumps sticking out the edge of a leaf on the stem). Once those have grown out a bit away from the stem you can start dripping a bit of water onto them on a regular basis. And if they get big enough to support the plant then you'll be able to cut the damaged/dried roots away, like I'm hoping to do soon for mine!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Rowangreen

One bit of good news: in the first picture I can see what look like a couple of new roots starting (the little green bumps sticking out the edge of a leaf on the stem). Once those have grown out a bit away from the stem you can start dripping a bit of water onto them on a regular basis. And if they get big enough to support the plant then you'll be able to cut the damaged/dried roots away, like I'm hoping to do soon for mine!

Good eye. Agreed with the suggestion.

[CasKinka]

Hi All!

The KLN came in and I soaked the roots for about 5-10 minutes in about 1/8tsp in about a liter of water. There is definitely still some life in them!

I am pleased to report that my little phal seems to be growing 3 new roots now!

Unfortunately, the roots it currently has are not very long and most of them are above the bark which seems to make them dry out incredibly quickly. Would misting help or make things worse? I dont think my apartment is humid enough so I've left water bowls on the heat vents but its only about 60-65F in the apartment so I am not sure how much that helps. I've also moved the little guy away from the window a bit because they're a little drafty and its been a bit cool outside.

Thanks, everyone, for your advice. Hopefully the new roots come in before I lose the plant...

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[en3rmax]

I'd put a bit more potting mix in there and give the plant a soak in superthrive, i can see a couple of new root nibs sticking throught on the first picture.