Ailing phal with root rot?
Hi
I have a problem with a fairly new plant. I must admit I had not encountered this forum before buying my plant, and now I know a lot more than I did and would have definitely avoided this particular plant, but he's mine now and I must take care of him.
Basically, it looks like there is quite a bit of rot on the roots showing above the compost. Although there are a lot of healthy looking green roots within the pot. The compost is looking quite low in the pot, almost like it fell over at some point and got spilled out, and no one filled it back up again.
In addition the biggest leaf (11") is split down the mid rib, although otherwise it seems healthy. The leaves are slightly flaccid, and I was not particularly surprised that the big leaf is not holding itself up so well, one of the lower small leaves looks particularly floppy. As it only has 4 leaves, I am not sure I want to lose one! I am also confused by the fact that the leaves are very red on the underside, with quite a tinge of red to the crown/ base of the leaves. The bathroom window is south west facing, with no direct sunlight due to another building being directly in the pathof the sun, but it does get a lot of indirect light.
I have been looking around at the other posts and searching and am in a quandry. The number of healthy roots make me think that I don't need to take drastic action and cut off the 2 flower spikes. But, I am worried that the root rot at the top may endanger the whole plant. I was going to repot it anyway once the flower had started to die back as they are so nice (and the reason I bought it in the first place) but if I wait until then, am I riskingthe whole plant?
Also, I am so scared of trimming rotted roots! Are there any really good "hold you hand all the way" through tutorials that tell you what to do - i have checked out all your advice about dusting with cinnamon, and sterilising scissors, but where do I make the cut? Could it be that the problem stems from this being a more mature plant as I have read somewhere else that as phals grow up you are meant to trim off the bottom of the plant (which in itself seems extreme).
Please help. I have attached a couple of photos to show you....
Sorry for the blurriness on the first one, can't seem to get the focus sorted that close - either that or it focuses on the leaves, and am unable to manage the manual focus.
The 2nd photo shows the underside of the leaves, with the bottom leaf on the right being the ultra floppy one, which is also looking a bit pale from the top.
the 3rd photo is what looks like healthy roots in the pot to me.
I have added the 4th photo to show the plant's situation, although the redness was there when I bought it - I don't think it is all down to where i have put it. The plant on the left with no spike is happily growing a new leaf, and so I think the conditions are suitable.
Any advice? reassurance? help?
Thank you in advance.... (and sorry for the long essay)
Kerry
Reply With Quote
