Help with Sphag n' Bag Techniques

[cindiras]

Douglas, Test the roots. First soak them for at least 10 minutes in tepid water. At the end of the soaking, feel each root, give a GENTLE squeeze. Any soft squishy roots are goners. The firm roots are good.

[ischel1]

Thanks Ischel
In the removal of the damaged roots, one question: I have many long roots that are broken up between good areas and then bad and then good again throughout the length of the root. Am I correct in assuming that the plant is benefitting from the living segments toward the end of the root, despite the dead section before it? And should I remove these roots or keep them? Up till present I have kept them, but more importantly, if I remove all those roots, I believe that would surely put this plant into Sphag n' Bag mode. There wouldn't be very many long roots left. At least 3/4 of what is pictured here are inconsistent roots like that, and many unhealthy segments are close to the base of the crown.

Keep the roots that have viable sections. Only remove the dead or damaged roots. If you soak the roots for a few minutes in water the
good roots will turn white or green, the dead roots turn brown or black. Remove the dead ones. Good luck.

[harveyd]

IMHO, it has sufficient roots that doesn't need to be subjected to sphag-n-bag.... so in case you decide to repot it, save as much good roots as you can based on the inputs by the Sr RV members. Phals have thicker roots than other orchids so make sure not to squish 'em when you apply your potting media; better yet, keep the media as loose/larger chunks (if not using sphagnum) when you can. Since you are growing windowsill, try to place this baby under lights (e.g. CFL 5000K) for 12 hours a day preferably 12" away or less from the bulb as long as the leaves are not warm to the touch.

Good luck!

[sake of silence]

If you want to go the chemical/hormone route, get something with cytokinins in it. Like seaweed, these compounds encourage cell division and definitely help with root growth.

[etex]

Great thread

[Daethen]

I agree with Diane, great thread.