Phal s/h with just areal roots. Can it survive?!
 

I decided give s/h a try because the weather here in Bakersfield. I thought my Phal was doing fine once I saw leaves and areal roots growing. Until my cat broke the vase and I have to move to a new one. Here is my desperate situation. Please take a look on these pictures and let me know what should I do next. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank u in advance Attachment 120232Attachment 120233Attachment 120234Attachment 120235


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You have a lot of roots there. Your plant should live. Personally I would just get rid of any mushy rotting roots and keep the rest, then repot in chunky bark. If those dark green roots are firm, keep them.

The plant was moved to semi-hydroponics with a pretty substantial root system, right? Those roots, not having grown in that environment, were anything but ideal so failed. The plant was not in the process of growing new roots, so they have not been replaced.

I agree with wintergirl's suggestion, adding that the plant should go into a relatively large pot. As more aerial roots grow, they will reach down into the pot.

Thanks for replying my post guys! I guess the pictures were deceiving because from all the roots inside the vase, I just have one or two "so so" roots. I will remove all the mushy ones.
Ray, thx a lot! U totally nailed about my mistake... I didn't wait for the growth of new roots.
I'm changing to a large pot now. Just a quick question: is that ok if some of the aerial roots be placed inside the vase?!
Thank u!!


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Yes, plant them. I do it all the time.

Thank u wintergirl! I have a question about repotting in chunky bark.. Why do u think it would be better to do that instead keep them in s/h?
I have a bag of MiracleGro orchid potting mix coarse blend. Do u think I can use that?! The weather here is sooooo dry! I'm afraid I won't be able to determine when my Phal needs water or not using bark.
Thank u for ur time and advices.


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I thought your roots were rotting in the s/h and not growing. If you feel your plant is fine in s/h then I don't understand your post.

I thought my Phal was doing fine in s/h because it was growing a good amount of aerial roots and leaves but not roots inside the vase. The roots inside the vase were mostly bad. I removed all mushy ones and left the only 2 good ones inside the vase. I also moved to a bigger container where the aerial roots can be buried in the medium, following your suggestion. I will see how it does for while. If no progress is made, my next option is to move to chunky bark. Thank u wintergirl for ur time answering my questions. Really appreciated!


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If you lost your roots in s/h, why would you put your remaining roots in it too? We both suggested bark and Ray said use a larger container. I am confused about what media you are moving to.

I just had a very bad experience with bark. Maybe because the weather here, maybe because my lack of knowledge. At one point I had 7 beautiful orchids and they all died once I placed in it. I had hope to keep in s/h because the convenience of watering and because my Phal is still shooting aerial roots and leaves. But, for sure u guys know the subject more than I do, so tomorrow I will take my bag of Miracle Gro orchid potting mix, try to take more the chunky bark instead the soil, and place in a container. Hopefully I won't kill this one! I just wish I had more free time to learn all about it. Thanks for the advice! 😉


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Phals love S/H. The old roots will rot off, because they aren't adapted to this manner of growing, but new roots form.

You speak of S/H and you speak of a vase. Did your vase have drain holes near the bottom? If not, how did you water your plant? Was there water standing in the bottom of the container?

The photos look like there might be bark around the roots. Were you using bark as the medium for S/H? This is not a good idea; the bark will stay too wet and the roots might rot. S/H involves using fired clay balls for medium.

I found Rays site when I was desperate to rescue my others orchids months ago. As medium I use those clay pebbles, in a tall glass (24oz prob.) container with two drain holes side by side, maybe a inch or so from bottom.
I use to give a flush, diluting Orchid Plus 20-14-13 in distilled water when it starts to reach the bottom. I used to give also seaweed extract from maxicroop if I'm not mistaken the brand. But it finished and slipped off my hands to buy another bottle.
I'm not complain about the aerial roots or nice leaves that grew while being in s/h. My concern is that no roots are shooting downwards, inside the container. Maybe, like Ray mentioned, my mistake was that I didn't wait for the new shoots come out before moving to s/h. And this Phal was sold as a "premium" with great amount of good healthy roots to begin with but, came in a vase with only wet moss and little bark in top just to look nice.
I don't know if it will survive just with the aerial roots. Some of the old leaves are getting soft and wrinkly. My first reaction was "I'm losing this one too!" Or maybe, it's just a cycle that old leaves are replaced by new ones. I don't know!!
I heard old roots will die when adapting to a new environment but so far, no replacement for the roots, except the aerial ones.
I would love to keep my plant on s/h just for the fact that it is the method that best worked for me so far. I don't stress so much about watering and I just leave my Phal alone. Should I be worried that is dying? Should I move to a new medium and take the change of no recovery?! What do u think??
TIA


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