More on Phal Roots...

18 years ago

Hello again. I posted at the beginning of March for advice on where to put my new "discount" overwatered phal ("Phal in Full Sun then?" post). Just after that, my hubby had to have surgery, and things got super-hectic. Needless to say, I never got back to my poor phal, and it sat in the eastern window with not much thought given to it. Things are finally getting back to normal, and late last night, I grabbed the pot and headed to the kitchen to examine the roots and get rid of some of that moss, as well as a yellowing leaf. I hadn't watered it since I bought it, and the middle layer of sphag was still damp when I unpotted it last night.

When I got it unpotted, the roots were a mess from the overwatering at the store and my subsequent neglect as you might imagine. Most were brown and somewhat crinkly, with the vellum layer falling off to expose the tiny roots inside (some of which were still green). There was one new root starting that was thick and healthy green, but I also noticed some white fuzzy stuff (either root mealies or mold) up towards the base of the plant).

I ended up cutting quite a few of the roots off - I have no idea if the vellum layer will regrow or not, but I did leave some of the thin green roots that the vellum fell off of just in case. I'll go back and cut those off too if anyone thinks I should. Obviously I left the healthy new green root, and I cleaned up the white fuzzy stuff with alchohol, rinsed, cut the yellow leaf off, and then dusted all cuts lightly with cinnamon. I took out over half the sphag. - it was really, really tightly packed in there, and repotted the phal in moist, wrung out moss (very lightly placed around the roots). The plastic pot does have slits in the sides and holes in the bottom for air flow.

So do you think I should go back and cut those thin roots off, now that they are exposed, or is it possible that the vellum layer will regrow around them? The remaining three leaves look pretty good - dark green, thick and sturdy, not wrinkled at all, and I did cut the spike off completely.

Thanks for any more advice...hopefully it will pull through all of this trauma...

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Comments (7)

highjack
18 years ago
Phals are tough and it will probably do fine. Watch for the slightest dehydration of the leaves - the lone short root might have trouble supplying sufficient moisture to the leaves.

The vellum layer will not grow back but leaving the fine thread like roots is fine. I even saw a recommendation once where they said they will help anchor the plant in the pot.

Good luck and hope your orchid gives you years of enjoyment.

Brooke
jamie_mt
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks Brooke - I appreciate it. I noticed today that the lower leaf is yellowing and wrinkled on one side. I'll take it off tonight, and hopefully the one "good root" can support the other two good leaves.
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jemsta
18 years ago
Jamie,

Don't take the leaf off. The plant is still using it for energy. When it's ready to come off it will simply snap off at the base.

~Jem
mehitabel
18 years ago
Jamie, that fat new root is the big hope for your plant. I agree with Brooke. Your phal will probably make it.

To help the plant keep it's leaves going til it can grow more roots, I usually bag the leaves. Keeps the air around the leaves more humid, reducing the burden on the one root.

Use those clear plastic baggies. I put one on each side of the plant, leaving the center open to avoid crown rot. You can anchor the baggies with plant clips or even tuck them into a rubber band around the pot. Whatever works without damaging the leaves.

good luck
jamie_mt
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks Jem - I'll leave the leaf on then. And I'll see about the leaf bagging too, though I don't have any small baggies at the moment. I'll figure something out though...thanks! :-)
jamie_mt
Original Author
18 years ago
Just thought I'd post a quick update one week later. I never did get around to bagging the leaves, but a couple days ago I noticed bright green in the crown of the two "good leaves", and it's now become recognizable as two brand new leaves sprouting up in the center of the phal! They seem to be growing well, and I've been checking the sphag every night to make sure it's damp, but not wet. Seems to be working - tonight I'll be cleaning my aquariums, so I'll dampen the sphag. with old aquarium water, which is rich in nitrates and very good for plant root/leaf growth (I have excellent results from it with all different kinds of plants, including my Onc. - it's a very gentle fertilizer). The two new leaves look great, and the two remaining "good leaves" aren't yellowing, which I take as a great sign.

The bottom leaf that was yellowing still is, but that's okay. I'll wait for it to fall before I take it out of there.

Thanks again for all your help - this phal is on the mend, and I bet it will be good as new in just a little while! :-)
orchid126
18 years ago
Nice growing!