To show I am not a complete loss here is a (currently healthy) one with a big keiki. I have been growing phals for years and have lost one or two along the way, but usually my green thumb prevails. This is just discouraging!

So glad Cinnamon has another good use, not only fragrant, tasty, ( good for diabetics) but anti-rot too.

We've all dealt with this. Can you provide more info about where you are growing these Phals? Indoors or outdoors. What State? Are they getting rained on?

I assume, since you have experience you are not watering the crown of the plant. No spritzing or spraying! Just watering the roots.

You have done a great job saving them. I have been taught that cinnamon should never hit the roots if possible. It stops growth and you want root growth.

If you are growing indoors in a window, could you provide some air movement? A small fan? If you can open the windows that would help.

Something is causing the crown to get moist. You are lucky you are getting keikies. That shows the plant is healthy and has good roots. Something is causing the crown rot.

Jane

This is the first time I have heard of watering phals from the bottom. Is that useful? It would be so much easier to do so, but, for me, no one has ever mentioned that until this thread. Please comment, someone.

Hi Pat,. I'm not a collector so I'm a bit more lax with my orchids. I fill pails with warm water and put my orchids in for a good soak (pot/roots only). I often use water from my fish tank or tap water with a bit of orchid fertilizer.

I'm very careful not to get the crown wet including the part that used to be part of the crown. I don't water often so I easily leave them for 15 minutes (maybe an hour!).

My previous problem was that I got "rescued " orchids which were held in boxes for months with debris that got into the crowns. After the first round of rot, I have not experienced it again. It was very discouraging while it was happening.

As with any plant care, hygiene is important. If you are a serious collector, look up watering practices as you can spread stuff if watering in the same containers. I'm just lazy.