Little Phal having some trouble

[Vernmcs]

Last February I purchased my first orchid, I did a little research (not on here) and repotted it in a painted terracotta pot with some spagnum moss loosely around it. Awhile ago I noticed that the leaves were a little wrinkled and I thought I just needed to water it, as I hadn't for a while. Talking with a girl that I work with she told me that I needed to change the medium and the pot. So I did yesterday I got a terracotta orchid pot and some 'special' phal potting medium, it has charcoal, peat, bark pieces and some other things. I have some pictures below. When I took it out of the pot most of the roots were rotted, I removed those and it has about 3 or 4 good roots that had begun to grow above the soil. It also has one large leaf and a smaller one about 2 to 3 inches long My questions are is there any chance of it flowering this year (I'm mainly just curious.) also more importantly do you all think that it will make it?

[Vernmcs]

I apologize for the photo quality and the length of the post.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi Vernmcs, anything is possible, but with an orchid that is damaged, even if it did start to spike, it would probably be better to cut off the spike and let the plant grow some healthy roots and leaves. (I know how horrible that sounds. Sorry)

If you have some good roots and take care to not over or under water, feed the orchid regularly, and give it adequate light, you will most likely have some pretty flowers. Best of luck!! (And welcome to OrchidTalk!)

Cheers,
BD

[cindiras]

Hi Vern! Looking at the first photo, I think you may have your phal planted a bit too deep. What do others think? (My phals lay across the tops of their pots, so I think any time the plant is upright, it looks wrong! Just me!)

[Cjcorner]

It could be lifted a couple inches... Good luck with your sick 'chid. In the meantime, i'd encourage you...if you would like some nice blooms...to go and buy a nice new one just opening it's final few buds. It will give you something pretty and new to watch while your other gets some new roots.

[Vernmcs]

With it being too deep I don't think I have much of a choice until it starts having some new root growth. The few roots that it does have are right below the surface of the medium. They had been above before I repotted and found everything else rotted. I actually did get another one when I was buying my supplies. It's much larger and has a fairly healthy root system. I'm a sucker for discount rack plants, although my new one I think is has a sub spike starting to grow. Picture below.

[cindiras]

Vern? I would still raise the phal in the pot an inch or so, even if it does leave the roots higher than the bark. Use a skewer or stake in the pot and secure the phal to it.

[Vernmcs]

Ok I will do that.

Thank you,

Cailyn