Repotted Phalaenopsis

[Bill U.]

You can give the exterior of the pots a treatment with a fungicide, such as physan-20 (lots of info about this product here on OB). Or you can make a diluted bleach solution and spray that on the exterior of the pots where you are getting this growth- I would recommend nothing stronger than 1 part bleach (regular household) to 4 parts water. I normally use this solution (the bleach) every now and again to clean the exterior of my terra cotta pots to help prevent build up of unwanted moss/fungus.

Having the bag at least over the visible plant part of your orchids is better than nothing in regards to how much humidity they are receiving. Granted, I would recommend that after treating the pots for these "invaders", you should go back to putting the bag lower to try and keep as much humidity in for faster recovery time.

Glad to hear that they are responding well to the treatment and are perking up!

[james mickelso]

Too much moisture inside the bag and the clay is the perfect medium for molds. You did right. Just cover the plant. If you want to choose a different method, if the mold bothers you, just mist the undersides of the leaves daily or as often as you can. That will give the plant enough moisture to sustain it until it grows new roots.

[rosslyn1037]

Here's an update about the orchids, the ones I bagged. On one of them, a leaf fell off and the other ones look like they are going to fall off as well. But the roots look fine, green and stiff. Is this crown rot, and is this plant doomed? Can it survive and grow new leaves? I don't understand how it could rot in any way because it is in a clay pot and I never overwatered it. I am so sad because the flowers this one has are so beautiful. Any advice?

[Bill U.]

If you can give us recent pictures, we can help a little more. Sometimes the severe climate change (from the bagging) can cause major changes/shock to the plant. It may be that your orchids are trying to tell you that they have had enough of the "bag" treatment. In many cases it is possible to save a plant that only has some roots- it can be a long process, but many do have success with it.

[rosslyn1037]

Okay, so here's 3 photos of the orchid I think has crown rot. You'll notice in one of the photos the bright green healthy-looking root. I sure hope that is a good sign that this plant might make it. I took the bag off and left it off. Please tell me what I should do to help save this beauty. Thanks!

https://www.box.com/shared/cmdi0y4ivofc2mjxv0ub

https://www.box.com/shared/an403t5xhl87302qzeiq

https://www.box.com/shared/9w3q7yxodxj6t8s0urnd

These are not the best photos; lighting was all wrong. I will post better ones soon.

[james mickelso]

Something we tend to forget is the fact that because orchids are so slow, by the time we see changes in their condition, it is too late to do much but hope. The best thing is to leave it alone. Just mist the undersides of the leaves and keep it warm. Not much else yuou can do. Some make it while others don't.

[rosslyn1037]

Hi! Oh, I'm so sad! The last leaf on my most beautiful orchid fell off this morning. It was completely dried up at the neck. But interestingly enough, the root that is exposed looks healthy. I sure hope it will grow again. I don't think it liked the bag over it. What should I do now to encourage it to put leaves out again? Or is that even possible with only roots right now? Please, please help! I will do some research online as well. Thanks.

[escualida]

Hi Rosslyn, well it makes it more difficult for the plant to survive without any leaves but I have seen someone who was still able to save hers. Hers was mounted so the roots were exposed to the light and were able to perform the photosynthesis that the leaves would have done.

Basically you need the roots to be exposed to light and also keep them humid enough to absorb enough water. If you don't like the bag you might want to just leave them near a light source and mist them a bunch of times throughout the day...

[rosslyn1037]

Thanks for your reply. How do you mount it? Right now, the plant is in a terracotta pot with orchid mix (bark). Should I take it out of the pot and put it in a clear container with some rocks in it and a bit of water? I saw a video on YouTube about doing something like that. Only one of the roots is sticking up out of the bark right now. It may not be getting enough light. What do you think?

[escualida]

I don't know if I would mount it but I would definitely take it out of the mix, you can probably just leave it inside a clear plastic container without any mix in it making sure that you mist the roots frequently...

Hopefully someone with more experience on this can chime in...