How do I repot a phal with root rot?

[desertgal]

I purchased a large phal in spike on line and when it arrived it started to wilt, it lost 2 leaves and the buds blasted. All of this happened within 10 days. I took it out of the pot and discovered that almost all of the roots are rotted away. How to I handle this? The leaves are large and if I cut away all of the bad roots there will not be enough left to stabilize the plant. It has a big spike, should I cut it all the way back so that strength goes to the plant? I really want to save this plant as it has beautiful red blooms.

By the way the vendor is being very uncooperative.

[smartie2000]

I would cut off the spike and repot in loose sphagnum moss or bark mix or other media of your preference. The repotting should stimulate new root development. The plant doesn't look too bad to me, I've seen worse. It should recover with time. Also keep the plant out of direct sunlight, just in case the sun dries it out.

[orchid-man]

Ditto to what smartie has already said

[terminator]

A month ago, I help my friend to rescue a root rot Phal. All roots were gone. Your is better than mine. I cut all root. I put it into solution of 5 mg/liter NAA (root hormone, I belive you can use commercial root hormone, it should be much better, I use NAA for seed sowing and try to see it works or not) for 1 hour and put in a regular bark mix, cover with a little moss to increase humidity. Voila, after a month:

rescue image

[Piper]

Katie,

Don't be afraid to cut off the rotted roots. They're not doing any good anyway. If they're soft or mushy, they should go. You do have a couple of good roots, and that should sustain the plant. As mentioned, it will stimulate the plant to grow more roots. If you have a bit of rooting compound you can use that as well.

Use sphagnum moss, and be sure to not pack it too tight. That will keep the surviving roots moist, but allow good air exchange. Stake the plant if necessary to hold it securely in the pot.

If the spike is still blooming, cut it and place it in water. It should last for at least a little while. But save the plant to bloom another day! Bad on the vendor - but your plant should survive.

McJulie

[desertgal]

Update: After I sent the pictures to the vendor she called me. She has given me a credit for the full purchase price.

Katie

[bench72]

oh that is good to hear that this was sorted out for you!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Update: After I sent the pictures to the vendor she called me. She has given me a credit for the full purchase price.

Katie

I was just about to say "Send that vendor the photo above." LOL. Good for you Katie. I hope the next plant you get from them will more than make up for the trouble this one caused. Keep us updated on the progress.

Cheers,
BD

[desertgal]

I was just about to say "Send that vendor the photo above." LOL. Good for you Katie. I hope the next plant you get from them will more than make up for the trouble this one caused. Keep us updated on the progress.

Cheers,
BD

I did send the pictures, when she received them she called me and after we talked she gave me the credit.

Katie