Phal Rescue- Help! - Orchid Board

Elisebeth · #1 02-12-2009, 04:15 PM

Hey All- I've got a small collection of a few different phals. Ive got 3 that are doing wonderful, 2 of which are recently acquired. Of the healthy ones, one definitely has shown no signs of attempting to grow or bloom. I have 3, however, that are not looking so good. 3 Others were lost a few months back. When i could see that their health started to decline I gave up on some of the others.

I live in an apartment that faces north, with only one small west facing window, which barely gets light. I cant seem to get very good light anywhere in here except 1 room, so I believe this is a part of the problem. I decided to re-pot them and I have attached pictures of their roots. I cleaned up the dead roots and put them in a bark potting mixture. 2 off the 2 have very wilted dry looking leaves. Is there any way to save these guys? Any help would be appreciated!

Elisebeth

This is phal #1

This is phal #2

This is Phal #3- Notice his sad pathetic leaves

These are all 3 repotted (from the left 1, 2 , 3)

phearamedusa · #2 02-12-2009, 07:48 PM

Hi Elisebeth,

I have a phal. that was a combination of the first two plants, roots from the second one and leaves from the first one. It was potted in sphrag. moss and for whatever reason just wasn't doing well. I took it out of the pot, and have had its roots half submerged in water for the last week without any problem, knock on wood. The leaves have plumped right back up and it looks really healthy right now. I can post a picture later if you like. For the one with with very little roots you might want to try moist sphrag. moss in a ziplock bag if they are really in a bad way.
Melanie

kiki-do · #3 02-12-2009, 08:12 PM

Hi Elisebeth,
I'm no expert, so keep that in mind. What I think I am looking at is root rot in the first two pics. What is your care routine, such as watering? What medium were they in? I'm really not sure so hopefully others will chime in.

mehitabel · #4 02-12-2009, 10:43 PM

If you can't provide good light, there are several consequences.

One is that you have to cut way back on the watering and fertilizing.

Another is that you have to expect slow to no growth, and no flowers.

You may want to consider supplemental lighting.

About your repot: make sure the new pot just barely fits the roots.