Need some advice on sick Phal
 

This one lost all its roots after I repotted it. The roots are either mushy or rotten. It is still surviving because of the two aerial roots.

Should I chop away the bottom of the plant? Will the roots grow again from there?

How do I trigger roots growth again? Should I submerge it in a Superthrive solution?

Sorry for the long post as I'm trying to save this poor plant.

http://i68.tinypic.com/2po2loz.jpg


http://i64.tinypic.com/2ivfq75.jpg

This plant should survive with reasonable care.

I would not cut off the old stem. Others would do so.

Pot it into your usual mix. In a warm, humid climate such as yours, large bark, LECA balls intended for hydroponics or lava cinders should work well. Sphagnum moss might stay too wet until you learn how to grow with it. Have the level of the mix just above the lowest root. Some of that root will protrude from the potting mix.

Keep the plant warm. Water when the medium is almost dry. Put it someplace with high humidity, and in bright shade. Until it makes more roots, I would use a spray bottle to wet the exposed roots every day. This would only take 1 or 2 sprays.

To add to the good advice already given, the old stem will not grow more roots, but I would also leave it, just to provide some anchoring for the plant.

Thanks for the encouragement :) However, I can't figure out why want to pot it since it has no roots to absorb water.

---------- Post added at 08:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:31 PM ----------

Thanks for the enlightenment. Learn something new :thanx:

We expect it will grow new roots into the media. The photo shows a new root nub on the side of the plant.

Just to give an update on this phal. After I potted it has now grown a new leaf but still no roots. :)

I have ordered a heat mat to heat the roots. Hopefully, it can speed up the root growth.

The two roots it has are enough to support some leaves.

Thanks. Didn't expect it to grow new leave first anyway.

Well it's good it's holding on. I bet it will start to put out a new root soon.

Yeah Shannon. Hope it goes well.

One word. KelpMax!! Seriously, it'll make a huge difference in the time frame of growing new roots!!

I use SuperThrive instead as it is available at Amazon and lower shipping cost.

Do I still soak it with the ST since the plant has grown a new leaf now?

I'm not certain super thrive is the same as KelpMax. Maybe Ray will chime in here...

Kelpmax and Superthrive are two very different things. However Kelpmax can't be found outside the US, and equivalent products are hard to find (mainly sold in bulk to professionals- at least in Europe). If the choice is between superthrive and nothing, I would go with ST.

I didn't know KelpMax couldn't be found outside the US. Why is that? Have you never used it Camille?

I may be wrong on this point, but I think Kelpmax is exclusive to Ray's business (I know he named the product). The product itself isn't novel, as the same extract (same kelp species and same extraction method) exists elsewhere. In Europe I know that it's called Kelpak. The big difference is that it's marketed almost entirely towards businesses, and I'm having a hell of a hard time finding sites that don't do only wholesale, or not in astronomically massive quantities. Ray, as far as I can tell, is the only one to have made this product easily available to the general public.

So no, I have never used it. There are plenty of other kelp based products here that work reasonably well, but not as effective as Kelpmax due to its extraction method which better preserves auxins.

I may be going back 'home' to CT this summer for my best friend's wedding, and maybe I'll bring back a bottle in my checked bag.

Bring back 2 or 3 Camille. You won't regret it!

Would love to, but for every trip back to the states I go there with a nearly empty suitcase, and come back with it so full that it's a struggle to meet the weight limit! Guess I should go more frequently than once every 4 years or so...

I was looking for Kelpmax previously but could only found it in Ray's site. After checking the shipping cost alone is already more than the solution bottle. No choice got to opt for ST.

Try Amazon. I've seen it on their site, but I prefer to buy from Ray.

Don't you get 2 suitcases on international flights? Once in the US, rent gowns for the rehearsal dinner and wedding. Lots of ladies do that here. Then you can bring 2 empty suitcases with you.

Yes, it's normally 2, but public transport at both ends with 2 suitcases, my carry-on backpack and bag of photo gear (I never travel without my dslr camera and a few lens) is a bit too much to handle. Last time I flew to LA then NYC before heading back to Amsterdam, and I didn't want to pay baggage fees for 2 checked bags, the trip was expensive enough as it was!

Update on my phal. Still no new roots yet but that new leaf is growing bigger compared to last week.

I intend to pot it to S/H. Do you think it is wise to do it or any difference to the plant since it is still rootless?

Don't repot a plant into S/H unless it's starting to grow new roots.

Thanks, understand this key point. But does it make any difference since the plant has no roots now?

I didn't reread your original post before replying. The photo shows it has some roots now, and Phals can begin growth from existing roots at any time conditions are correct. Go ahead and move to S/H. Keep it warm and humid. Outdoors in Singapore in the shade would probably be great if you have an outdoor growing area.

I have yet to repot this phal. However, I just realised that the tip of the two air roots are being crushed and dried out. Due to the plant weight, the two air roots were resting on the top rim of the plastic pot.

Beside the tip, the rest of the roots are ok and still turn green when they are wet. Do you think I should cut away the dried tip of the two air roots?

http://i65.tinypic.com/2d1qs5j.jpg

http://i67.tinypic.com/2d9cln8.jpg

I would leave those alone.