How were the roots?

Jane

Unless you are just in it for the experimentation and learning experience, I would just cut my losses. With that kind of leaf damage it is a very long road to recovery or a short trip to the trash can.

I had to cut a lot of the roots away as they were badly damaged, but some of them were green. Could be a different story now though. Should I check the roots again?

Compost it... It's 9/10 of the way there already and will take a few years (if possible) to get back to blooming condition.

Bob

Honestly, I'd try to save it. I'm having trouble with a phal, which funnily enough, is in the same damn pot as you have pictured there! I recently saved 2 other phals (one of which had no root system left due to rot) that I rescued from a restaurant. They now have some nice new root growth! I'm fairly new to orchids (about 3 yrs growing now...), but they're expensive plants & so beautiful.
I would check your root system again. If you see any more rot, or even if you don't, try sprinkling a bit of ground cinnamon on there before putting them back in the medium. Also, to avoid the dreaded rot-let this baby dry out almost all the way before watering again.
*Always make sure your cutting tools are sterilized (fire works fine!) before cutting any roots or leaves away!
Since this is generally a phal's "growing" season, fertilize weekly with a high acid fertilizer, just make sure the solution is weak. Theoretically, it could put out a new leaf this season.
....Just wanted to add that I just checked on one of my rescues & not only is root growth good, it's putting out a new leaf! Moral of the story, don't chuck the plant!!

This post was edited by sgeneviva on Wed, Jun 12, 13 at 11:11

I know people are saying to chuck it, but I'm just like you sgeneviva. I can't just chuck it. Even if it doesn't bloom in 10 years I'd still be happy with just leaves. Blooms are nice, but a healthy plant is what I'm after.

I'll check the roots again today and see if there is any change. If it completely dies then I will toss, but 9/10 chance is still a chance lol.

Just checked on the roots and there were only 2 green ones. The rest of the roots were brown. I pulled off their "casings" since they were rotting off anyway, repotted it and I'm hoping it can recover with those 2 green roots. If I check back in 2 weeks and one of the roots has turned brown I will assume its just dying and chuck it.

y don't u try putting it over water

Could you explain Blondy27? This is only my 3rd orchid and I've never heard of this technique.

My reasoning for telling the OP to compost it:

Life is is too short to "set yourself up" for disappointment. The OP saved another one but this one isn't up to par with it, they've already tried and not been successful so why keep "digging the hole". Considering it was purchased off the clearance rack, there probably isn't a lot of $ invested in the plant.

At least there are a couple of green roots, I don't see much in the way of photosynthesis being able to take place though.

It'll be a tough go and 9/10 was being very generous IMO :-)

Good luck,

Bob

I'll say it again....."you have to wonder about the survival rate of the Phals mentioned in rescue threads here over the years".
Usually the poster has nil or little growing orchid experience and is trying to save an orchid that is not a beginner's orchid here and maybe not in Zone 8A South Carolina.
For what it is worth...
Potting down to a smaller pot size and using a clear pot may have helped though I agree with the other posters that the patient was/is in critical condition.

YES!