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Sad days ahead I’m afraid… Despite my best efforts and all my… | The Orchid Oasis | Comunidad de Planta

Dory

Sad days ahead I’m afraid… Despite my best efforts and all my gathered knowledge… this set of rescues just are not responding to treatments. I’m afraid the root rot was too severe by the time they found me… I’m still going to tend and care for them until they tell me they are done, just feeling let down and like a failure with this set…. (This group of sick babies were cast off by family members to a deceased resident I cared for, I’m wondering if they are sad and miss her and giving up… a bit of a bittersweet thought)

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15 comentarios

  1. Dory

    I water culture typically but started these guys in potting medium and they just kept deteriorating… so my water culture tricks are my last ditch effort to save them.

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    • Jen

      I know there’s lots of people in this group that swear water culture works for them, but I agree with you. Going entirely against their nature with possibility of rot and infection really high, is just too risky for me. That being said- if it works in your environment Dory, great. I’d just make sure the base of the already dehydrated and stressed orchids aren’t sitting directly in the water- that’s a recipe for stem rot disaster. Good luck! And let us know how it goes!

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    • Dory

      I water culture all my orchids

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  2. Guenon

    Phals can do pretty well in white water culture. I only do it in warm months because I don't keep my house that warm when it's cold outside, and my Phals don't like it. I am currently rehabbing a small Phal my neighbor let almost die. It's coming around nicely. I would try this sphag and bag technique. You wrap the roots in sphagnum moss and then put a bag around the roots period after a month or so they should perk up. But maybe you already know this.

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    • Dory

      I tried that and lost more roots…😭

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  3. Dory

    So for those who maybe dont understand why water culture works for phals… potting medium can literally adhere to their roots causing bacterial growth that leads to root issues. Especially when people follow the “add ice” directions… yes in nature they ansorb moisture through their roots. However in their natural environment they have constant access and are constantly absorbing due to high humidity and heavy rainfalls. Water culture simply means all potting medium is carefully scrubbed of the roots to prevent issues and the tips of the longest roots set in the water. This allows the aerial roots to still breathe as well as creating humidity during evaporation. That does not mean they sit in water 24/7, the water is allowed to become stagnant or isn’t changed. Once a month my orchids get blue juice, I water change once a week as mine are in glass. Once a month they get cinnamon tea (cinnamon is a natural antifungal). In between their blue juice (my nickname for the orchid food water) and their tea they get clean filtered room temp water. In my climate and with my work schedule this is what has worked best for my plants. It’s actually the orchids that are behind the tank you see in my pics I’m working towards setting up. The driftwood will come out over the tank where I will eventually move my plants to…

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  4. Dory

    The top arrow points to the pedestal this phal sits on and the bottom arrow shows the water level and how the roots gently touch it. You can even barely see how her aerial roots seem to grab and hold the edge of the pedestal dish she is sitting on. I also do not use the support stakes opting to allow them the freedom to shoot their spikes wherever makes them happiest.

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  5. Dory
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    • Dory

      This one appears darker because she got a cinnamon powder dusting on her root system due to signs of potential rot when I brought her home. Showing as an example of my specific techniques as I try to use as little chemical agents as possible

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  6. Dory
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    • Dory

      This is after her water change from her cinnamon treatment. Her leaves aren’t wrinkly anymore and her green is more vibrant. Her buds perked up too. That’s after a week of being acclimated to water culture.

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  7. Dory
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    • Dory

      This is pre-water change after a cinnamon tea week.

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  8. Dory

    New buds on my big girl😍

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  9. Dory

    Update. I did lose one of them. I figured that one was too far gone. The mini lost more root but I think we’re down to just healthy tissue and the other is still stable.

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