Dehydrated Phal? Help?

[Rocker0For0Life]

I have had this phal for just about 4 years. in the past 1 and a half, it's been going downhill. I managed to have it in bloom 3 whole times before that, but after re-potting it for the first time, it started looking like this. I haven't been able to help it, and I'm not sure if it's even possible anymore. It IS growing extensions on it's roots, and there are no rotting or unhealthy roots. It's not growing any leaves though.

It's growing in a sphagnum moss, charcoal and bark mix. I pray the roots whenever I feel they look dry, or the mix feels dry in the bottom.

I have attached photos of the roots, the plant as a whole, and the leathery leaves.

[Kala]

As far as I know, Phals like to be in a tight and transparant pot. Not growing leaves, but growing extensions to its roots is a good sign. The roots need to be able to dry just to the moment they turn a bit grey.

Give it time, keep wattering it every week en keep it in a light spot.

[Orchid Whisperer]

In my opinion, the pot is way too large for the plant. This can lead to root problems. You should use a pot that will just hold all of the roots (about half the size of the pot you have). The type of pot (terra cotta, plastic, net pot, teak basket, etc.) is less important than assuring it has really good drainage (many holes to let water out and air in).

Also, I would get rid of the sphagnum, instead use coarse fir bark medium with charcoal, or something similar.

Your plant seems to have good roots, but not a lot of them. Changing the pot and medium may help. The leaves are a bit dehydrated, but will recover as you get more root growth.

[Zoi2]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

In my opinion, the pot is way too large for the plant. This can lead to root problems. You should use a pot that will just hold all of the roots (about half the size of the pot you have). The type of pot (terra cotta, plastic, net pot, teak basket, etc.) is less important than assuring it has really good drainage (many holes to let water out and air in).

Also, I would get rid of the sphagnum, instead use coarse fir bark medium with charcoal, or something similar.

Your plant seems to have good roots, but not a lot of them. Changing the pot and medium may help. The leaves are a bit dehydrated, but will recover as you get more root growth.

I agree.
Good luck
Joann

[Atzau]

So you've looked at the roots inside the pot also and there's no rot? Also, you said you spray the roots? I wonder if the roots are getting enough water? I generally soak my pot for about 15 min or so in warm water and then drain well every 10 days or so and my phals seem to do fine with this type of watering...

[james mickelso]

The reason we grow orchids, phals, in small pots is to be able to control the moisture level around the roots. That is if....the phal in this case, has most of it's roots "in" the media. Most of this phal's roots appear to lay on top the media so a smaller pot is unnecessary. But....the roots dry out much faster in this environment and you may have let them dry too much a time or two and they suffered. The leaves look very dehydrated but why is unknown at this point. What roots are visible look ok for the most part. There could be a fungal or bacterial growth down around the stem. What roots there may be under the media may be compromised and not supplying enough moisture to the plant. It may be too cool and it certainly looks like it isn't getting adequate light. I wouldn't repot it especially trying to cram what few roots that are left into a smaller pot. Give this plant more light, more warmth, and let it dry out and then water the heck out of it. Then let it dry out again. Find a hydroponics store and get some kelp extract to help it grow more roots.

[Orchid Whisperer]

James, I think since RFL is in Malaysia, that cool conditions are not the problem. I think the large pot and medium are the reason there are roots mostly on the surface. Unless I am misunderstanding the climate in Malaysia, I am thinking tropical and humid, therefore needing a smaller pot and better drainage.

[james mickelso]

My concern is trying to put those already compromised roots into another pot. This plant is already in trouble regardless of where it is being grown. There may be fungal or bacterial issues on the stem but something in the past dehydrated the leaves. That is either compromised roots , which doesn't look like it, or cool conditions. Malaysia can get cool. Not cold but cool relative to the normal temps. I agree with your observation of too large a pot but that is immaterial now. Trying to get these compromised roots into a smaller pot would damage them further and kill this plant. What roots are intact need to be left alone until such time as new roots can grow, if possible, and then the plant can be repotted into a smaller container. If these roots had been severely dehydrated then they wouldn't be in this good a shape. I think some form of kelp would do this plant a lot of good. these leaves will not become rehydrated so care and patience are the order of the day. I also think that it needs more light.

[Rocker0For0Life]

I agree with orchid whisperer. What I was initially planning to do was put a couple more phals in the same pot. But I never got around to buying more phals, since I'm moving to a whole other country as well, plus I didn't know if that was a good idea to begin with :P

[rvalkenburg]

I would definitely repot at this point. I would take it out of the existing pot and check the lower crown and roots for rot, and cut out any soft root base. Then use a see-thru slitted pot, probably 5", and either PrimeAgra which all of mine are in now, or at least a clean media of bark, charcoal and Perlite. The other piece I would look at is if the roots that show on the top of the media are "Air" roots or "Sub" roots. They don't look like typical "Air" roots so I would get them back into the media.