I don't know!! - Orchid Board

Amanda L · #1 11-09-2008, 04:04 PM

Okay, so I'm going to repot my Phal today

. I already have the bark soaking. My question is; should I add some sphag in with it? The mix has bark, charcoal, arcillite. Also, is it tremendously important to soak the mix 24-48 hours before repotting?

I hope not, because this will set my phal back! My leaves are starting to droop, but my roots look okay, the ones I can see anyway. Someone suggested that maybe the sphag was to compact and the roots couldn't breathe. I decided to repot, so I can see what is going on with the roots I can't see and hopefully stop anything that may be going on. As always thanks, for the help I'm sure to get, in advance!

Ross · #2 11-09-2008, 04:20 PM

I personally have never soaked my mix at all (except sphagnum). As for the mix, Phals should be just fine with pure fir bark (the coarser the better) along with some coarse ag charcoal to sweeten the mix. I wouldn't bother with the other stuff. You really want coarse mix with lots of air in it. Really lots of air. The roots want to dry down in 2-3 days. Your climate is not a really dry one, so I really recomend a mix that will dry out in 2-3 days and allow you to be generous with the water and not clog the mix. I like clear plastic pots (the kind with 4-5 holes in bottom) so I can always check on the roots. I have mine in a south-facing window where they get full sun (when it shines) and the roots will be green when they don't need water. They turn to white when they are ready for water. The tips are always green.

Amanda L · #3 11-09-2008, 04:26 PM

Thank you for responding. The mix I have is from a bag, so it's already got all that stuff in it. I will not put any sphag in it. The pot is clear, so this will help me with watering. Unfortunately, I have no idea what direction my window faces. It's fairly bright all day, when there are no clouds. How long should I wait to fertilize my phal after it's repotted?

Thanks again for your help!

Ross · #4 11-09-2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanda L

Thank you for responding. The mix I have is from a bag, so it's already got all that stuff in it. I will not put any sphag in it. The pot is clear, so this will help me with watering. Unfortunately, I have no idea what direction my window faces. It's fairly bright all day, when there are no clouds. How long should I wait to fertilize my phal after it's repotted?

Thanks again for your help!

Amanda, the direction of the window makes little difference. Just keep checking the roots that you can see. If they turn white, then water by soaking the whoole pot or running water through it at the faucet. Be sure your water is not softened. As for fertilizer please review Plant Nutrition Check all the sub pages also. I use 125ppm nitrogen at every watering.

magicatt · #5 11-09-2008, 05:38 PM

Ross is right. I fertilize at the time of repotting if it is fertilizer time. Doesn't matter as far as I know.

Amanda L · #6 11-09-2008, 08:49 PM

So here is an update on my Phal. I repotted today and the roots looked, just okay. Some had some rot and some where white and stiff, others green and stiff. The root mass was nothing impressive, but weren't sad. I cut off the roots that looked not so good and sprinkled cinnamon on all of them. Unfortunately, when I turned the plant over to get the compacted sphag off the roots, the top leaf fell off

. Looking into the area i noticed it was black. CROWN ROT! What the

...I never watered this plants crown! Anyway, I hope there is nothing to worry about. I have inserted pictures of the repotted Phal, including one of the crown. Please let me know if there is something I should do, or if you notice something I didn't.

bonsai1504 · #7 11-09-2008, 09:00 PM

This is what Ray's site says to do when you have crown rot-
" Crown rot is caused by letting water sit in the folds between leaves, resulting in a bacterial or fungal infection, or even both. Prevention is the key, so water or mist early in the day so the stuff has time to dry by nightfall. If you do get a case of crown rot:

Pour a liberal amount of hydrogen peroxide in the wound and let it stand for about 5 minutes to kill the infecting agents.
Tilt the plant to pour the liquid out of the crown.
Let the plant dry completely.
Sprinkle with dry cinnamon.
Treat the plant normally, being sure to keep the wound dry."

Ross · #8 11-09-2008, 09:02 PM

The plant looks fine, except the crown is gone. 1st photo shows this clearly. The plant will probably respond with a basil Keiki. Culture that, because that is your last hope. This one won't go any farther, I am afraid. Just my 2 cents.