It will most likely be dead when you get back.

I would sphag and bag it while you are gone and hope for the best...

I have seen others use cinnamon on the base, to help as a natural sterilizer, and sphagnum moss with just a slight dampness in a bag (really...not much), as mentioned above. Perhaps a lower-than-normal light area as well. While home, you might have some luck with it in the bathroom/shower. I have hospitalized some there, and the higher humidity, lower light, and air movement seemed to help.

Sorry, but in my humble opinion that phal won't make it... Unless the plant has special meaning to you, I'd compost it and buy another one when you return. If you feel you must try, the spagh and bag method may give the 'best?' chance at success.

FWIW: In my experience, phals struggle when being switched between different media too quickly. Next time, don't go directly from spagh to moss as you'll lose most of the non-aerial roots (as you have found). If and when the time comes for another repot, be sure to ask us about how to handle the switch before starting.

Good luck,

Bob

I have seen videos on youtube where people suspend the plant in a glass vase an inch or two above a pile of soaked moss, then wrap the whole base in a dry cleaning bag, leaving only the leaves exposed. The high humidity encouraged new roots. It seemed to be working for him, and worth a go, I suppose. Your plant just seems far to large to stay alive with no support system, though.

I wish you luck!

Unless the plant has special meaning to you, I'd compost it and buy another one when you return.

I think I would respectfully disagree with you here. To me, all of my plants have special meaning, and I find it extremely difficult to let one go that easily when I know there is still a chance for survival. I think the pride one feels when a plant they've rescued recovers and goes on to bloom is a better feeling than the simple happiness of just getting a new plant. That's what I feel anyway :P

~

As for the orchid-It did well during the week I was gone from home-nothing major happened. I put it in a darker and cooler area than it was in previously.

I currently have the stem tied gently to a flower stake with a ribbon. The base of the stem is suspended over some sphagnum moss to keep the humidity around the base high. The leaves of the plant are drooping out over the edge of the pot. Three leaves have yellowed and dropped. I spray the root with some water once a day.

It's been three weeks since I last put it in this setup, and today I found something exciting :D

I think there's a root tip emerging! :D

You can get it to grow new roots because the days are getting longer and Spring is here. If you had waited until now to repot you probably would not have had as much root loss.

Try to time your potting to the seasons of growth. Spring is the best.

Are you having someone come to take care of your plants? You could try the sphag and bag until you get back. Just make sure the people in charge of watering does not water this plant. It should be kept warm.

You will probably lose all the leaves, but you should get a new leaf starting.

Good luck,

Jane

If you had waited until now to repot you probably would not have had as much root loss.

Normally yes, I would have waited until spring/summer to repot, but roots were beginning to rot on top. That along with multiple buds blasting randomly is what made me decide to repot early.

Are you having someone come to take care of your plants? You could try the sphag and bag until you get back. Just make sure the people in charge of watering does not water this plant. It should be kept warm.

No worries-I've been back for a week already ;)

Unless the plant has special meaning to you, I'd compost it and buy another one when you return.

I think I would respectfully disagree with you here. To me, all of my plants have special meaning, and I find it extremely difficult to let one go that easily when I know there is still a chance for survival. I think the pride one feels when a plant they've rescued recovers and goes on to bloom is a better feeling than the simple happiness of just getting a new plant. That's what I feel anyway :P

Obviously the plant has special meaning to you.

But the pain of watching a plant die slowly in my care is just as much a heartbreak for me. For me life is too short to mess around with a dieing $20 phal when you can get a nice pretty one that gives pleasure. I'm at a space premium also, so when a plant isn't performing it gets replaced with something that does perform and gives me pleasure.

Over the years I've tried to rescue dozens of failing orchids and I was successful with some and not so with most, at a certain point you have to decide if it is worth the effort. For me this phal would be beyond the effort required, but you seem to want to give it a full go, so hurray for you!!!

Good luck,

Bob

There is so much satisfaction in doing everything humanly possible I can to save a Phal, and I've done it. Mine looked just as bad as goldstar's, minus the extremely dehydrated leaves. The leaves on mine were wrinkled, dehydrated and droopy.

But with time, lots of patience, lots of rooting hormone and finally placing it in semi-hydro, my rootless Phal is alive once again.

Don't give up goldstar...just trying to save an Orchid gives special meaning! ;)

Mine is enjoying terrarium life. It is growing two new roots, a new leaf, and three basal keikis. :-) I thought it was a goner but it has really sprung to life in there.