scissor happy with the roots

[nicki]

I have this Phal I wanted to repot. The medium it came in wasn't drying. All the roots looked bad and so I started cutting them off. Well I think I may have gotten carried away and clipped a good root or two.
Does this Phal still have a chance?

[padams2359]

I don't think there is enough there, but I cannot be sure without knowing how much you started with. The top of the plant looks great. I don't think I would have done much to it until I started seeing something in the plant, or let it sit out overnight to really get a picture of what the roots looked like when starting to dry. I don't think you could have had that much root rot with such a healthy plant at that size. Dreamer maybe able to give you more info.

[smwboxer]

Try the sphag and bag thing. Looks like new root is starting to push through so might just be able to save it. Get rid of that spike.

[sadie]

You might be able to save it with the sphag and bag technique. I'd also add some SuperThrive. And you will have to cut the spike--the plant is going to need all the go-juice it can muster to grow roots.

[nicki]

The plant had been in a plastic container with no air holes. A mixture of bark and spag around the roots. As soon as I bought the plant I cut holes in the plastic. There were also some gnats. I didn't water the plant since it seemed pretty wet. A week later and it was still not drying. When I took it out of the medium it smelled musty. When I was feeling the roots (there weren't many) they seemed mushy or hollow. The flowers just all dropped off. There were 2 little white nubs of roots starting. Last night I noticed they were starting to turn black and that is why I decided to take the plant apart.
I will look up the spag and bag technique and get some superthrive.
Also I bought this in the discount section (the blooms were starting to go) so I knew I was taking a chance. I was just too impatient to play doctor

[Cjcorner]

Make up a warm water bucket with Physan and a few drops of Superthrive. Leave the entire plant, leaves and all, in the water for about 15 minutes. If it is a small plant, or seedling, 5-10 minutes. Afterwards, hang your phal upside-down in a very drafty, windy area or turn a fan on it. You can hang it in the shower with a fan for about 30 minutes and usually they dry all the way. Just in case, use a paper towel, twist one corner into a tiny little pokey thing, and check the leaf axils to suck up the last of any remaining moisture. After the plant has completely dried out....repot into a clay pot with new phal. mix. Leave the plant go completely dry for a couple weeks. Use a spritz bottle with a couple drops of Physan to mist the plant with twice daily. The physan in the bottle is to keep the water from getting icky, more than for the plant.
You can set the plant in a humid area/ie the bathroom if you don't have time to mist all the time.
The plant it going to look like H E double hockey sticks for awhile....but it should make it. The leaves look great. Do make sure and cut that spike right now all the way down to about 2 inches and dust the cut with cinnamon.
Good Luck....Hope it pulls through for you!
Connie

[nicki]

Thanks for the advice!

[cindiras]

Would this phal be a good candidate for water culture?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Yes, remove the spike and put some root hormone on the remaining roots. It will be a long recovery, but have patience and use the spag/bag technique. Good luck.

Cheers,
BD

[nicki]

Good question No doubt in time I will have another orchid or 2 (or 3...) and will be able to try different techniques.

Would this phal be a good candidate for water culture?