Phal Waif and Stray

[Businti]

Yes I did it, I picked up a stray Phal at the market, it had three beautiful flower spikes but four withered leaves. After enjoying the flowers I decided that the only hope for this waif was to cut off the flower spikes and re-pot. On taking it out of the pot I found the potting mix to be totally broken down, and the majority of the roots rotten. As per instruction on this site I cut them all off, leaving only three healthy roots fo one inch long each.



Here is the rub however, as I have potted it up in fir bark chips only, which I don’t believe is going to work for this Phal. My worry is that it is not getting enough water at the crown where the three short roots are. Also I run my own business which leaves limited time to tend my orchids. Please help, I would like to nurse this Phal back to health. I have never re-potted an orchid before so I am totally new to this game.

In closing I just want to say that this is a forum unlike any other I have seen in the way it engages new members. What a wonderful community. Thank you.

Pics included of Waif, potted up and potting mix.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Yes, it looks like your phal is stressed. I suspect root issues. Please unpot and take a look at the roots. Check out both of the following links. The first is the RVO care page link to repotting a phalaenopsis orchid (it also has the same video as the second link below.)

How to Repot a Phalaenopsis Orchid | River Valley Orchidworks



Since phals do not have p-bulbs, they need to remain moist around their roots (Moist - not wet). In this way they are similar to paph (slipper orchids).

Best of luck and welcome to our community.

Cheers,
BD

[orchidaddict789]

To increase humidity you can put your phal in a clear plastic bag. You can mist the inside surface of the bag, but do open and aerate the bag once a day to prevent stale air. Without roots, phals become dehydrated and wrinkled, so increasing humidity can slow down water loss. Good luck!

[Businti]

Awesome. Thank you that is the video i was after. I took the Phal out of it's pot please see attached picture of the roots. How do i encourage it to grow new roots. I am also very concerned that given such short roots, it is not getting enough water as the fir chips are dry at the top of the pot. Should i water every day? Thank you

[Businti]

Thank you for your suggestion. I have succesfully done that with roses in the past, i will try that

[Alana]

You should look up the "Sphag and Bag" method on this forum, seems people had pretty good luck with it, and you can get superthrive and rooting powder at most big box stores to 'encourage' your plant.