Beginner's Attempt to Rescue Phal

[SophOrchid]

Well folks, I am not entirely sure if the orchid will make it. Yesterday morning I found white/blue-ish fuzz on a good number of the bark chips. I did my best to sterilize pots & the scissors when I repotted & examined the potting soil very carefully. I guess this stuff happens.

I sanitized the pots, threw out the potting media, and went out and bought another bag of potting mix. I treated the roots with 3% hydrogen peroxide (it seems as though there are mixed reviews on using hydrogen peroxide) because one of the roots had some light white fuzz on it.

This orchid has been through so much that this will be my last repotting attempt. I will just let it be from here on out & try to provide stability re: water & sun. Even if it doesn't make it, I have learned a lot.

[Laticauda]

I found white mold growing on one of these. Now I'm doing the sphag and bag type method. Letting the stem stay dry but in a humid environment. I'm using a plastic container instead of a bag but the idea is the same.

The "sadder" looking one has one root that I think is useless and the more plump one has no roots. I see its root nodes becoming little nubbins so im giving it patience.

[GoldStar135]

Try putting a small fan nearby to provide some air circulation. I believe that helps with inhibiting fungal growth.
Best of luck to you and your plant!

[aliceinwl]

I'd expect some root death and associated mold and just let it take its course. It's not growing in a sterile environment and if there's dead tissue and moisture it's going to rot. Make sure you're not swinging too far to the other extreme and over watering. I have a Phal that I slightly over potted, I have to make myself check the skewer on it so that I don't over water.

Personally, I have a hard time seeing how a peroxide dip to the roots wouldn't do more harm than good. Phals are still going to have symbiotic associations with mycorrhiza which are going to be damaged and any pathogenic fungi likely have their hyphae penetrating the tissue already so a surface treatment isn't going to address established infections. Maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong? I can see peroxide having utility when you're treating a freshly cut surface, but beyond that...

[estación seca]

Hydrogen peroxide damages or kills roots. The only time I would use it on a Phal would be in case of crown rot. I would put just a drop or two into the center of the crown, from above.