Newb help with root rot and lighting...
 

Hi folks, my first post here. I've found the forum very helpful so far with searching, but need to ask my specific questions just to feel special :biggrin:

I received a Phal as a gift a couple of months ago. Had 2 flower spikes with at least 3 flowers/buds per spike. All but one have fallen off. I was watering every 7-10 days, and last week one leaf turned yellow and leathery. Overall it still looks fairly healthy with 7 green leaves and 2 green flower spikes.

After searching here I decided to take a look at the roots and found it packed very tightly in sphagnum moss and maybe half of the roots were very yellow/black and rotting. The moss was very damp despite the infrequent watering. I removed all of the moss, cut away the dead roots and used a small amount of cinnamon to the cut roots since I didn't use sterilized scissors. I then repacked it in the now drier moss, since I didn't have another medium to use, but only used 3/4 of the original amount and didn't pack it directly under the crown. The pot doesn't have slits on the side but does have drainage holes on the bottom. I never let the bottom of the pot sit in water and thought it was drying out enough between waterings. I believe that I was wrong in this assumption since the roots were rotting.

Whew. After all that, my questions are:

1. I live in an apartment in Vancouver, BC with ONLY a north facing window. Is this going to be enough light or should I not bother with trying to maintain this orchid? During the day there is plenty of light, just not direct sunlight during the winter months. Summer is another story.

2. Now that I think root rot was a primary problem, I would like to repot in a different medium and pot. Would that cause too much stress if I did it in the next couple of days? Should I wait and see if I have caused too much trauma first?

Thanks so much for any suggestions, looking forward to picking the brains of the smart folks here! :bowing

cheers!

I'll answer the easier question first. If the moss wasn't working for you, change that out immediately.

As for the lighting. Phals grow in shady locations, the light is diffuse and indirect. If this sounds like the light coming from your window, then it's fine.

Thanks King!

I'll go out today and find a proper pot and medium and get right on it.

I do believe the amount of light coming in the window is sufficient, as long as it is near the window. I guess only time will tell!

Thanks for the prompt response!

A north window may or may not be enough considering that you are at a high latitude. Putting it outside for the summer in bright shade would do the trick. I grow in a north window here in the Netherlands, but in the summer the entire orchid collection gets moved back home in France, where they stay outside. A few months in the sun, despite the rest of the year being spent on a north windowsill, is enough for me to bloom high light orchids!

Thanks Camille, I'll have to wait and see if after re-potting if the light is sufficient. It's bright enough during the day when the sun does shine (we are the 'wet' coast after all). Vancouver is at 49 degrees latitude, which is equivalent to northern France. I would think the amount of light would be sufficient.

My next question is should I expect the current flower spikes to actually produce more flowers? The ends look like they might be producing a flower bud or further growth, but have I shocked it enough to stop producing?

Oh, Don't cut those spikes until they turn completely brown. Then cut way down near the crown of the plant leaving about 1/2-1" long.

They can send new flowers and or spikes or kikis off the old spikes. I cut some off before I learned this from here on "The Board".

BTW, welcome this is a great place.

I agree with King - repot ASAP. Your north window may be just fine.

my oh my!!! phal is my nemesis when it comes to growing i think ive killed at least 6 of them.... so far depends on how your going to keep them but for me mount is the best well in my area! u have to mount them in a piece of wood very tightly secure 1 inch below the base!.. when i say tight it shouldnt move... but dont harm the roots... i use a straw string so it wont hurt the roots! dont use the twist tie coz in a few days time... it will loosened i dont the reason but that happens. and for extra humidity u can put moss around but i use inorganic material a foam use on pillows work for me! one day ill take a shot so ull get the idea... its sounds messy but ive succeeded on making this phal healthy... i think im going to expect two flower shoots!! i hope!

Yep. King is correct. Repot immediately. You will what to put it in a pot that the roots will just fit into. Over potting Phals is another cause of root rot due to the media staying too wet. Unless you are growing it in semi-hydroponics. As for the spikes, If the plant still has enough roots to support them leave them on. I'f not, then cut them off. I am one of those that never cut off green spikes unless the health of the plant is at stake.

Well, guess I'm resurrecting an old thread but thought I would share my current find!

This plant that I mentioned above I had just about given up on. It dropped 2 more leaves after my last post, despite re-potting it in a more appropriate medium. Just last night I checked on it and found that it is producing a new leaf bud and it appears that an aerial root is starting to grow some more!

All that I have done since changing the medium is to water it only when every bit of it felt bone dry. When I did water it, it was in a weak concentration of 20-20-20. To water it, I filled a large bowl with the fertilized water and then placed the pot inside it for about 5 to 10 minutes for all the bark to absorb some water.

It appears that my north window is enough, and now that the days are getting longer things might continue to look up!

Thats brilliant news. A bit of patience and you are fine.