Another water culture save

[Phyrex]

This phal has been slowly deteriorating since I resqued it near the beginning of this calendar year. The several leaves it had were limp so I figured it had been overwatered and made sure to let the media dry completely before watering it. Some of the bottom leaves yellowed and fell off leaving it with only 2 leaves. It tried to grow two new leaves but I don't think it had the energy to do so, so it abandoned them and started a third. When the third leaf started to dry I figured it was time for an experiment and chucked it into a chopped up water bottle to try the water culture that people have been talking about. It turns out that it wasn't overwatered but underwatered and so far all the leaves seemed to have strengthened and are not limp anymore. In fact, the dried leaf has continued to grow and is lush green now (except for the dried tip). I haven't changed the water I just top it up when it's almost empty but only up to the tip of the highest root. There was some fuzzy white stuff at the beginning which particularly worried me but it has pretty much gone away. Another thing that I was scared of was the fact that the actual stem of the plant is sitting in water too but it doesn't seem to bother it much. This one is going into my record books.

[margo]

Long story behind it!!! And yes, it must go to the records book!!! Hope it gets strong enough and blooms for you this winter!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Best of continued luck with it, Richard! You have lots of patience and that is commendable. Good work.

Cheers,
BD

[Ron-NY]

good going Richard! Did you cut the bottle yourself?
Edit...I was assuming it was glass but now looking at the thickness...it is most likely plastic

[rich63]

Good one Richard! I'm starting to see some new roots on my two paphs.that are in water culture.It has taken them longer to kick out roots than my catts. and phal. Once they get some length,I'll post some pic's.Take Care,Rich

[Janet]

A few years ago I rescued a phal this way and it bloomed for me. But. I repotted it back to something more normal, forget what, and then it died. Could have been chance. But what's the procedure after the plant has roots again?

Janet

[cindiras]

Janet, The new roots it grows in water are acclimated to water. You leave it in water culture. Remember to change the water. Add a weak amount of fertilizer. I've got 6 little ones in water at the moment. when they get big ans strong, I may put them in another medium when they are in a growth period. A new medium means they have to grow new roots acclimated to that environment.

[Phyrex]

I thought I'd give an update on this guys amazing root growth in water. I'm not changing the water just topping it up either with normal water or fertilizer (once a month).

[Halloamey]

Great ! I had only tried this with catts, now after this post, I will definitely try it out with a Phal.

[Cjcorner]

And I'll be copycat #2 because I have 3 or 4 looking very sad. If this does the trick i'll be cutting up water bottles like mad soon! lol