Phalaenopsis problem

[Weetamoo93]

I'm new to orchids (and this board) so I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right spot, but I really need some help.

For Christmas I got a beautiful Phal potted in maybe a 4 in clear pot (double potted in a ceramic) in sphagnum moss. The flowers looked great, but I noticed some of the leaves underneath looked poorer (it has about six nice leaves total). I took it out of it's pot to find only two tiny roots barely an inch long each and one aerial root. The plant has slowly declined since I put it back in its pot with less sphagnum so it could breathe easier and some large chunks of bark (not sure what kind) for more support. Yesterday I caved in to cutting off the blooms in hopes of saving the plant. Today when I checked it, the leaves were all wilted and soft. It's kind of sitting on the sphagnum, rather than in it, so I soaked the plant alone in warm water with a few drops of honey.

I'd really like some help saving this orchid.

(I'll post some pictures when I get them)

[euplusia]

When kept constantly wet, Phalaenopsis roots quickly rot. I am not a fan of growing in sphagnum. Aeration is better in fir bark. You done right to cut off the spike.
Now place them in a spot with higher humidity out of the sun. Soak the entire plant in water for 10 minutes once a week. It may take a year until the plant grows a new sufficient root system.
Just 2 days ago my sister brought 2 nearly rootless phalaenopsis. I think of putting it in a high pot in the air above an humid medium in order to attract root growth. Not sure if it works.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Bark sold for orchids is typically for bark. That is a good choice for phals as a potting medium. Get rid of all sphagnum moss.

The plastic pot may be good for growing your plant if it has lots of drainage holes. Toss the decorative ceramic pot, or use for something that doesn't need drainage. Or, get rid of both pots, switch to an unglazed terracotta pot with good drainage.

When you water, don't add honey. Your roots are already compromised by rot, the sugar in the honey will encourage more bacterial or fungal growth. Water twice a week, no more, with plain water until root growth resumes.

[Polarizeme]

Please read this thread. There is a whole wealth of information on what to do with these Phals.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

I would use the bag and sphag method until your plant recovers and starts growing roots. This may take a few months. Just keep checking every once in a while to make sure the moss is still moist and that your plant isn't touching the moss.

Then, after good root growth is evident, I would put the plant in a fine bark mix in a pot with good drainage and air holes.

Good luck!

[Weetamoo93]

Originally Posted by Polarizeme

I would use the bag and sphag method until your plant recovers and starts growing roots. This may take a few months. Just keep checking every once in a while to make sure the moss is still moist and that your plant isn't touching the moss.
Good luck!

I'm working on getting the bark. (Wish I could just use pine bark from outside, but I'll experiment with that later)

I can't find the "Bag and Sphag method. My phal is looking a tad better after it's soak yesterday, but still very wilted.

And I can't seem to find how to attach the photos of the phal...

Also, I plan on moving my orchids into an aquarium to help keep the humidity higher (since my dorm room is so dry all the time) and put damp sphag in the aquarium to help keep it more humid.

EDIT: The photos were too large.

[Polarizeme]

That should work.

Bag and sphag...

Place a wad of moist sphagnum in a large ziplock bag. Put your Phal in there with it so that it isn't touching the sphag. leave the top partly open. Check on it about once a week to see if the shag needs to be remoistened or rinsed and replaced.

Key is to leave it in a shaded spot and leave it alone so that it can start root growth. Taking the Phal out once every 2 weeks and spraying the base, never the leaves, with a liquid kelp fert. to stimulate roots may help.

Let us know how it goes

[Weetamoo93]

Figured out how to attach the photos in previous post.

[FabianInAustralia]

Yikes! You phal looks very similar to mine a few months ago!

The Phal Abuse Ends Here is certainly a wealth of information. I also cut lots and lots of holes in my clear plastic pot for aeration and drainage (its seems that using a soldering iron or hot nail with pliers is a favourite among the Orchid Board community).

If you chose not to use the sphag and bag method it is helpful to put some gravel/pebbles in a shallow bowl and fill with water to just below the top of the pebbles, then sit your clear plastic pot on top of the pebbles (not in contact with the water). This will help with humidity levels.

Good luck!

[katrina]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

When you water, don't add honey. Your roots are already compromised by rot, the sugar in the honey will encourage more bacterial or fungal growth. Water twice a week, no more, with plain water until root growth resumes.

Actually.......Honey has antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. And, in humans, it's been shown to kill off bad bacteria w/out killing off the good. There was a time when it was a common treatment for the healing of wounds and some people still swear by it. Regardless of the activity in/on humans...putting some in the water won't cause any problems for the plant. It probably isn't going to do much for the plant as far as recovery...but, it certainly won't hurt it.

The only real issue w/using it might be that if too much is used it could potentially attract ants or other sweet loving insects...but, that's about it.


Important side note...Raw honey is what I'm referring to. The other honey...the heat process kind...won't contain many of the beneficial properties due to heat treating but it also shouldn't cause any bacterial/fungal issues for the plant.

[Weetamoo93]

I did a modified bag and sphag for the orchid where it is sitting of a coarse bark mixture on top of wet sphagnum moss. I then put the pot onto of an upturned pot and set the plastic bag over it with about five small holes in the top to help with airflow, so it can be humid, but hopefully not too humid.

The orchid's two pale white roots are now turning green and while the leaves have yet to perk up, they have not wilted further.

I'm still using a little raw honey in the water soaking because I read elsewhere that honey has rooting hormones in it.

I also recently saved four mini phals from Lowes (they were killing them!) and was wondering if anyone knew if they could be coaxed into growing into full-sized phals.