White Phal. Dying? Any Help Please

[OrkidKlivia]

I got a yellow phalaenopsis a while back in Jan as a gift ---and really loved it. It's still blooming beautifully. Today, we went ---- vendor information removed -see faqs on posting---- and I picked up three of them in different colors last minute. I just cannot pass them up and really want to take care of them. Plus living in the city, I don't get chances of buying plants much, at least not with top dollars.

They are the ---- vendor information removed -see faqs on posting----, in a 4 inches plastic plot with several holes at the bottom, and then a big 5 inches ceramic pot with no drainage. I think they use bark (not sure but I am attaching pics).

Upon close inspection at home, I think one of them is in bad shape. The leaves are droopy- while the others are pointing up, this one is all wilting looking and pointing south. It's in a healthy looking green color though. There are no roots other than a few aerial ones from looking into the plastic pot. The white blooms are definitely aging, and there are no buds, or tips.

I read a few threads here and decided to cut the spikes and take a look into the pot. I just don't want to wait and only to see that it's rotting down there. I also cut those paper thin dead roots off, and it only has a few okay looking ones now

I am seeking advice on what to do now - it seems, I can either let air dry for one night or one day or maybe longer, or I can put it back in the pot? Should I put it near my humidifier with other phals if I air dry it? How often should I water/soak it ?

It looks like the phal. is in fine condition right now, no extra water in the pot and medium is relatively fasting draining and dry. But this looks like it was overwatered and soaked in water at some point? What are those yellow roots? They are not squishy, feel like the green ones when I touch. Is that fine? Do I need to cut it back? Thanks in advance!!

[chemist]

Roots on you pictur looks ok. Yellow roots are not green cause they were not exposed to the light.
You might want to buy some roothing hormone (kelpmax or superthrive) to promote root growth.
Since you cut some dead roots the pot phal came in maybe little bit big now. If you can find smaller pot to just feet roots that are left to repot it.
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[OrkidKlivia]

Thank you Svetlana!

That is good news from you. I found a smaller pot and put it back in last night. I don't know if I am just seeing things, but the leaves look more droopy than yesterday. I am getting a bag of new potting mix and a new pot. Definitely repotting once I got them. Off to look for rooting hormone

Thanks again!

[chingjervis]

From my point of view....too wet... no air circulation.

Phals dont like their roots to be soggy or always wet unless you have good air circulation to dry it up.

I usually water it weekly or sometimes every 3 days depending on weather condition.
i usually check either by the finger method or by weighing.

Finger method...you just stick your finger (any finger...lol) into the medium, but be careful in not damaging the roots, to check its moist. If its dry to the feeling, then water it.

Weigh method... you put it on your palm to check its weight if its light or heavy.

Watering...i usually fill, the sink or water pail and just put it in. Usually it will float because of it lightness, so gently push it down to let it abosrb the water for awhile, and take it out and let the excess water drip.

What about other members here?

By the way, we have the same brand of contact lens cleaner..Al**n...hahahah

[ksriramkumar]

Phal looks alright. some hybrids have longer leaves and appear to be droopy. if they are stiff they are alright.

[chemist]

Thank you Svetlana!

That is good news from you. I found a smaller pot and put it back in last night. I don't know if I am just seeing things, but the leaves look more droopy than yesterday. I am getting a bag of new potting mix and a new pot. Definitely repotting once I got them. Off to look for rooting hormone

Thanks again!

Leaves might get more droopy since there is not enough root mass to support it (remember you cut off some dead one), but dont worry with new roots growing at some point it will grow new leaves too
The old leaves might not get to it original plum condition but its ok.
I just want to tell you even if this phal will loose all present roots, keep care for it and it will grew new roots. It might take even few months. Just be patient

[OrkidKlivia]

Thank you for your encouragement! I got a small pot with a net pot inside and transparent plastic outside, some new mix (with Sphagnum Moss, Pink Bark, Hydroton, Sponge Rock, and Cork Chips) and SuperThrive. I just repotted it, have not tried SuperThrive yet, but going to with next watering. It's doing okay, I think. Nothing has turned yellow or black. It looks pretty much the same since last week. I will take some pictures tomorrow.

[deepoe]

It looks much better than some that I've bought. Some pictures on this site prove to me that few are too far gone to try and save.