Grow new roots on a Phal?

[Raja]

Hello, I recently rescued a phal from work. I saw it over a year ago sitting in stale water for weeks, so I wrote a note that said, "I am being overwatered. Please don't leave me soaking in water like this or my roots will rot and I will die." About 2 months ago, I noticed it was drying up. I had never been repotted, so I took it home over Winter Break when there would be no one there to care for the orchid. I went to repot it and there were no viable roots left. I've trimmed them away... I've been able to regrow roots on a Miltassias from nothing. Can you regrow roots on a Phal? I have sphagnum moss that I can wrap around the base, but is it better to try to situated that sphag moss wrapped base in bark? Or, is this not possible at all?

[cakedaddy]

Depends on how far gone it is...post a pic if you can. I have saved a rootless phal before but it takes a long time and the plant has to struggle. The sphag and bag method worked for me.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I have saved phals without leaves, but never without roots. I would post up a photo and show the condition of the remaining roots, but the spag and bag method sounds like a good option for this orchid.

Cheers,
BD

[jai_star]

The same situation happened at my work, the poor Phal was placed next to the rubbish bin , as the owner thought it has not produced an inflorescence its days are doomed. It has been sitting in a bowl of water, however its putting out a new leaf and roots so i took it home to repot , trimmed all the mushy roots away and is not hoping to get it to flower. Needs lots of TLC!

[Khayael]

@ Bruce. Saving orchids without leaves? where can I see those picture?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

@ Bruce. Saving orchids without leaves? where can I see those picture?

You would have to do a search. I haven't posted any as it would most likely look like a pot of bark, but there may be some here in the forum. Also try checking for sphag and bag, Gabriel.

cheers,
BD

[opaline]

Have often been sent phals my way for varying reasons, and yes some with severe root rot i.e no roots and same as Bruce without leaves.. Sphag and bag or similar humid environment- Coke bottle, terraium. Dont let the plant have direct water source contact. Spray twice daily underside of leaves aswell. Leaves have stomata cells whcih can absorb some moisture to help it on its brink of death. Not a great deal obviously but give it a go. To undergo this procedure you need the passion and patience of an devoted orchid grower. I have at times just positioned a chid, at deaths door, near a moss source i.e amongst a group of mounts where sraying/ misting is frequent and good results but our set ups are diff. Orchids are suprizingly tough at times and continue to prove us wrong. Its us thats the problem sometimes.