Spiking Phal with no roots

[Traci]

This phal is a NOID that I have had for 8 months or so. It came into spike and is now budding. It was potted in coarse bark, hydroton, lava rock and perlite with a small amount of spaghnum in a slotted plastic pot. It took two tumbles off of the high shelf this month when David was attempting to close the curtains behind(he can be a bull in a china shop) it resulting in it having to be repotted twice. I think it was too much of a shock to the roots especially with it spiking. Over the past day or two the top leaves have become very soft and the bottom wrinkled. Even though it is pretty cold today and I have the heaters going in the orchid room I knew I had to check the roots. They are all dead. I have the plant soaking in kelpmax with a small drop of physan 20. I would like to save the orchid even though I was finally going to see what color the blooms are. When I repot it should I cut the spike and put it back in bark or should I suspend it over a glass of water on a seedling mat?

[Chris in Hamilton]

I would be inclined to remove the spike and mount it. but that's just me.

[sciencegal]

I have a few with no roots. I wrap the base in moss then wrapped a small nylon net bag over it and tie it around the stem. You know those small bags that garlic comes in - although this one had small glass rocks in it. Then I sit the moss bag in a glass cup and keep it wet. It is keeping them alive. It looks like the spike has blossomed before. I wouldn't be able to keep a phal watered well enough in the loose mixture you had it in but then I have much drier conditions.

[Traci]

Thank you both. I think I can't keep a phal moist enough in the slotted pots in the loose mix. They do well in this environment Ina regular plastic pot with holes at the bottom. If I use slotted pots I am going to have to soak the pot in water. I'm trying the glass vase idea. I don't know that I can keep it moist enough mounted. I need to also buy some mounting supplies to have on hand.

[zainal abidin]

If I were you I will cut the spike to restore the energy lets allow the plant to have an establish root first Tracy.

[moniluhum]

The type of potting mix you use depends on your watering habits, the amount of sun and humidity it gets. From what I have learned if the plant is spiking it usually is not going to grow roots since all energy is towards growing the spike, If the plant is becoming less healthy, removing the spike to give the plant a chance to recover would be your best bet.

[orchidmanmarin]

Tracy and Monilohum, you are both in NOLA! maybe you know each other.....