Welcome to OrchidTalk Orchid Forums
The Friendliest Orchid Community on the Internet!
OrchidTalk - "Bringing People Together to Grow Orchids Better!"
Let us help you grow your Orchids better; Join our community today.
YES! I want to register an account for free right now!
Register or Login now to remove this advertisement.
Growing orchids requires a bit of hands on learning for most people. It's hard to tell a person exactly what is appropriate because we all have differing conditions. I say, get yourself another and repot into a bark mix. You will have more control over it. I killed many many phals when I first started. I tried an oncidium and it actually grew and bloomed. From then on, I've been an orchid addict!
Posted via Mobile Device
Hi Peaches
I have had a few Phals that were completely rootless. I have discovered that putting them in a glass of water, (strange as that seems) will
grow new roots in the matter of a couple of weeks. Once the plant has 2 or 3 new roots I will pot them up in bark mixture or mount them.
Denny, do you add anything to the water or change it frequently? That is a method I've heard of but just too afraid to try.
Hi Tamara,
I don't add anything to the water. I use tap water and I do change it weekly.
I seem to have great results with this method.
I only leave the plant in the water until I see 3 to 4 roots growing,and than pot it or mount it.
Water culture is not meant to be used long term.
Here is another Phal that was rootless,that I just mounted a few days ago.
I'm going to try this water culture method for rooting. I have one phal rescue that has been struggling to root, but maybe this is just what it needs.
Thanks for the tip!
I have restored several orchids from near death by taking them totally out of their medium. Then take a clear glass vase, or a even a plastic cup. Fill it with water. Distilled is good if you have it, but I use regular tap water. I have restored three orchids in this fashion thus far. My little baby orchid (from the last World Trade Fair) was about to expire and now it is growing new leaves. The others are flowering (they are in a cup of water). Just this morning one of my orchids (which was in sphagnum moss) just dropped its last two leaves. It has a smidgeon of a live root remaining (about 3/4 of an inch). I have it in a cup and have the water up to the level of that teensy root. You will need to have a lot of patience for this. It will take a long time before it begins to show any evidence of a recovery. but, it will be very satisfying if it happens. change the water once a week and be sure to wash the container of any scum buildup. good luck.