CROWN ROT!! How I saved my Phalaenopsis!

[@rkatika9]

Aww, I'm so happy you could rescue this one, you are an amazing grower!

[@PictureMaria1]

+Kati R. Thanks so much you are so sweet! :) I am also glad that I could rescue this orchid...wheeeeeeew!

[@bubbler891]

I’m glad I’m not the only one he gives the orchids a second chance! I just went to my local garden centre and picked up 3 phals and 1 dendrobium for £6 because they were classed as “dead” all had flowers but they all had rotten roots and 2 have a little bit of rot in the crown so were losing a few leaves but the aerial roots were in great condition! I can never turn down a bargain and love plants that are “dead” they always come back! I have stripped them of all rotten leaves and roots and chucked out the medium and have washed them and I’m now letting them dry out abit before I plan to convert them to waterculture 😊

[@n8vtxn935]

THANK YOU for this encouraging video!! I am in my first week of rescuing a sick Phal. I bought it at the market knowing it may not be healthy. This is my first orchid ever and I don't normally have success with keeping things alive -- I know, I'm nuts -- but I really liked its blooms. After I brought the plant home, a couple of days later the textured leaves developed black rot. Then I started to look at KZbin for help. I discovered my poor orchid was drowning in damp sphag. So I repotted and found the bulk of the roots were rotten. Yikes! 2 strikes right off the bat. BUT I'm happy to report, after I've removed all the old dead tissue, cut off the rotted leaves and spike, sanitized, and placed in a glass jar with small rocks and a tiny bit of water (semi culture), this pathetic looking orchid (which resembles a tarantula now) had a couple of small roots that have turned green again. The only small remaining leaf is plump and firm. Now I have more hope that I can pull this off!! :D

[@PictureMaria1]

I am wishing you the best of luck with your phal...never give up hope! I have done a couple of experiments with phals that exposed that they indeed are a whole lot tougher than they look. My main suggestion since this goal experienced extreme rotting...is not to constantly submerge it in moisture...allow it some dry time in between...I would spray it down frequently about 3 or not times a day to encourage healthy root growth until it has enough to go back into potting media...unless of course you prefer the semi water culture...good luck and keep me posted! :)

[@botchi1]

Thank you. And good luck with your fantastic Orchid jungle. Bo.

[@TDMoorethanjustORCHIDS]

wow and amazing....i should start sending you all my future phals with crown rot...you are a orchid magician with a superthrive green thumb..bravo!

[@PictureMaria1]

TD Moore Ha ha ha...and too funny!!! ABRACADABRA!!!! LOL...and yes SEND THEM MY WAY...(just don't expect to get them back!!! LOL!!! Thank you for your kind words dear friend...but I'm not magic...I'm just very passionate about my orchids...and fortunately, they are about me too! :)

[@TDMoorethanjustORCHIDS]

If you can magically get a crown rotted phal to come back you deserve to keep it in your collection :-)

[@TDMoorethanjustORCHIDS]

and it is always a good thing when your orchids are passionate about you too

[@PictureMaria1]

TD Moore LOL! Heeeee heeeee....I should start an orchid emergency and rehab clinic...LOL!!!

[@TDMoorethanjustORCHIDS]

You should..just imagine how many sick plants you would receive and by the looks of your marvelous outdoor growing area those plants would not be "sick" for too long

[@kendraoverton4]

Definitely are resilient plants... I think most people see them and they are like, 'oh no that is way too much work!' But with a couple choice conditions in place they are awesome little gladiators! Either that or you are just a plant whisperer lol. 🍃

[@PictureMaria1]

Kendra Overton They are!!! So many people say that they are hard to take care of...but not any harder than any other plant...they are spectacular though in their uniqueness and their awesome growth habits...unlike your regular garden plants...once they lose all their leaves or roots...they still have a chance of growing a whole new set...now how amazing is that...and their blossoms are endless in variety...you'll run out of money way before you run out of orchid varieties to buy!!! LOL!!! ...and the orchid whisper...WOW!!! Indeed that's what I want to be when I grow up!!! LOL! HAPPY GROWING dear friend...and cheers to a life filled with love, peace, happiness and ORCHIDS!!! :)

[@mariapina1755]

Hi Maria! thanks for the great idea! I think overwatered my orchids to almost death. I will try your method to see how many I can save! Happy Orchid Growing!

[@PictureMaria1]

Maria Pina There are several methods you can use...you can so the sphag and bag method or put it in a container or terrarium with no holes to drain out...lightly put in sphagnum moss...and spray the moss daily, keeping in moisture but not overly watering...also allow from time to time allow it to receive air flow. You will have to closely monitor to ensure that fungus does not develop.

[@botchi1]

I had a Phal like that, and in some time I saw a new leaf pushing upp the rotten parts in the middle. So, never say never. Good work. Bo.

[@PictureMaria1]

YES INDEED! NEVER SAY NEVER!!! They have shown me how incredibly resilient they are in their want to survive...and thank goodness for that! Thanks for watching and joining me on my orchid adventures! HAPPY GROWING! :)

[@MarlenesHomeandGarden]

Such great info. Thanks. Goes to show we should never give up. Keep trying eventually the light will break through.

[@Rosemary457]

WOW outstanding, I would have thrown the poor little thing out, I wouldn't have thought it could survive , Mind you I bought 3 almost dead phals a few weeks ago And now they seem to be doing great, 1 still has very floppy leaves but its roots look fine now, So you never can tell, Still I can't believe you saved one with crown rot, Extremely well done, Your A very smart lady, TFS :-)

[@PictureMaria1]

+Rosemary457 Thanks so much...and sorry for the late reply...the little phal is alive and well and kicking'! Hoping that your orchids recover well. :)

[@susansprairieorchids2573]

Hi Maria, I know, crazy, right. Phal's are survivors. Goodness knows I have given them the test. I have found the water culture to really work for me. Helps with new growth of roots. Today I added a Cattleya and a Oncidium to water culture. Desperate times call for desperate measures sometimes.

[@PictureMaria1]

+Susan's prairie orchids ...orchids are very crazy growers...LOL! ...and the water culture method...awesome keep me updated on their outcome...

[@mechanicalbees7698]

Maria, I have a sick phal right now and this brought me inspiration! It suffered root rot from the grocery store and I am just holding on for growing season to come. I hope to see roots pop up but we shall see!😊😊😊😃

[@mechanicalbees7698]

I will update you in a few weeks!

[@andreasoilander5407]

Interesting, and very surprising! This really looked like a lost case. Thanks for sharing!

[@PictureMaria1]

Andrea Soilander That's what I definitely thought...but I said what they hey...I'll put it in my tree and see what happens...I actually forgot about it until I was doing the video where I was decorating my orchid tree with moss...and that's when I noticed the awesome surprise...orchids are amazing in what they can do...very unique and awesome in their growth habits...my husband says their like alien plant creatures from another planet...and he's right...I think they are...soon to take over the world!!! LOL!

[@andreasoilander5407]

PictureMaria1 Orchids are amazing plants. But also the place where you live seems to be a perfect environment for orchids, providing everything they need to have a good recovery in terms of light, humidity and warmth. :) It must be wonderful to live in a place like this. I live in a cold climate, so my orchids can be outside at the balcony only during the summer, but most of the year they have to be inside, under lights, on humidity trays, and sometimes an air humidifier is necessary. Orchid are adaptable plants, and so are we. :)

[@PictureMaria1]

Andrea Soilander indeed...in that regard I am very fortunate...I wouldn't be able to keep them in my home due to lack of space...and the fact that hubby and the kiddies aren't as passionate about orchids as I am....so I am rest assured that they are safe and sound in my garden...LOL!!! I am happy to hear that you have quite a set up for taking care of your orchids and can continue with your passion for orchids. I DO believe that they are magical, rewarding plants and are well worth the effort. Keep the passion alive and indeed stay dedicated to the cause of living a happy, healthy life and HAPPY GROWING!!! :)

[@missanna208802]

I have a really handsome angraecum sesquipdale that got stem rot in the very middle of the plant. Systemic fungicides and conservative surgery didn't help and I eventually had to cut off the entire stem, all the way down to the roots, but it has two offshoots now that hopefully will survive.

[@PictureMaria1]

+missanna208802 That's great news that it has two offshoots coming from the plant...now your main concern is to encourage some new roots that will be able to sustain the two offshoots. I would definitely put it in a container that will hold very loose sphagnum moss (not packed down in anyway) and lightly mist it throughout the day...enough to moisten but enough to dry out quickly as well....this is normally what I do when I am dealing with an orchid that has either faced rot or fungus infection. With some tender loving care I am sure it will do just fine and will be on its way to a full recovery. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you...please keep me updated...I also have had an agraecum that also dealt with some rotting issues...let me know what you decide to do...again good luck! :)

[@katebeedot6964]

@@PictureMaria1 Hello thanks for your help. I tried the loose sphagnum moss and daily misting but in fact ended up with new areas of rot although I had already cleansed, disinfected and gently scraped out the rotting areas from the stem. So after varying attempts I back to the "above water level" of the roots and stem out of water. Bit dismayed and unsure, it used to be a lovely big purple baby phal.

[@libertyordeath3874]

Wonderful success story :)

[@fificorina]

That is very optimistic thank you for sharing!

[@PictureMaria1]

+fifi fifi Thank you for watching!!! I am hoping all is well dear friend! :)

[@mustofaismail2502]

HELLO Maria!You pleasant person!I just love your spirit!I have a crown rotten phal but no garden.Please advise me how to try and save my plant. Thanks for your videos its very informing.

[@PictureMaria1]

+mustofa ismail So sorry for this late response...and I am hoping that your phal is doing okay...even if you don't have an outdoor garden...you can still do this indoor...make sure you sanitize it with peroxide and I myself would leave it in media...I would take it out and water it by spraying the roots daily and being careful to ensure that no more water goes into the crown. I would also put cinnamon powder into the rotting area to make sure that you dry that area out...that will stop it from spreading into other areas. I would continue to spray it daily as much as possible until you see it becoming rejuvenated or a baby plant grows from it. Thank you for your kind words and for following me on my orchid adventures...take care and best wishes!

[@heartorchids7114]

Well done Maria!

[@PictureMaria1]

Heart Orchids Thank you! :) :) :)

[@Susana1024]

I have a rescue Phal that I am working on right now. It's in sphag. No roots but have four leaves so I am hopeful.

[@PictureMaria1]

...just checking up on your rescue goal and hoping she is doing well. :)

[@Susana1024]

+PictureMaria1 Thank you for checking, Maria. You're soo sweet! Unfortunately, I lost her but I think that she had a crown root and didn't see soon enough. Have a great week!!

[@dddshaughnessy]

Thank you for your delightful encouragement !! : ) love from SW FL @DarleneOnthego

[@PictureMaria1]

+dddshaughnessy THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!!! ...One of the main things I have learned about orchids is that they are one of the most resilient plants in the plant world...and they constantly astonish me as they take me on quite an enlightening adventure! HAPPY GROWING AND MUCH LOVE BACK ATCHA FROM CENTRAL FLORIDA! :)

[@Lorrieonline]

Thank you for the inspiration! I now have hope that a bright future is in store for my little friend. You've made my day!

[@quesofreshcoh]

My phal just had a very serious case of crown rot because it was blooming and someone other than me (looking at you dad) poured water all over it and caused the spikes to rot and make the leaves literally fall off the crown, and i repotted it from a decorative pot and put it in my "sick orchid corner" which has 3 [what do you know] phals. So basically phals hate me and I have more luck with Vandas (which I hear are hard to keep) Honestly I just want big blooms so I think i will stick to cattleyas. Those love me and I love them!

[@PictureMaria1]

LOL!!! I know what you mean...Phals and I don't get along to well either...and like you I do better with my vandas just as long as you water, feed and give them good light they will give you gorgeous blooms...But I will say I am tempted to try my luck with some species phals that I am absolutely head over heels with....and this time I will have a stategy...I'm thinking I will either mount them in my tree or wood...and treat them like my vandas....just less light of course...I also am converting my entire garden into an orchid grow space...it should be interesting...wish me luck...and HAPPY GROWING...and hoping your orchids recover well...and BAD DAD...BAD DAD!!! LOL!!

[@quesofreshcoh]

HAHAHA LOL at least my vanda is doing very well, the keiki is getting big!

[@PictureMaria1]

Nice!!! You should post it on my Facebook page so I can see that bouncing baby keiki!!! PS what types of vanda do you have...and which one is your favorite?

[@quesofreshcoh]

I have a Robert's Red Delight Vanda, and I would say my top three favorite vandas that are tied for first have to be the Vanda Kultana 'Fragrance', the Vanda Tricolor, and the Red Vanda you had mentioned in a video with the waxy and crinkly petals, which I love because it looks so exotic and tropical, what about yours?

[@PictureMaria1]

Gabriel Zambrano I also like the Tricolor, Kultana Fragrance and Renenthera...and a couple of others...Mimi Palmers, Tessellatas, Denisonians, Insignis, Luzonicas, and Lamellatas. These are amazing by themselves but also make some incredible crosses as well. :)

[@batt5779]

I mounted my mini-phal on a piece of wood, that was ofcourse not sterilized. All of the roots rotted away, and in one week it developed a tiny root. It will most likely survive, but it has been one traumatic experience :P

[@PictureMaria1]

+Xpwn HD So sad to hear...but glad to know that it is still alive...with some tender loving care you can revive it and bring it back! I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Sending you warm wishes of a very speedy recovery!

[@batt5779]

I've put it in semi-hydroponic atm. The leaves have gotten alot better. They are firm and plump again. :D

[@PictureMaria1]

+Xpwn HD So happy to hear it...and hopefully in the next blooming season she or he will be right back on track giving you magnificent blooms...I am keeping my fingers crossed for you! :)

[@celested8073]

Hi, love your videos! Have one question, is it possible to transfer a phalaenopsis orchid to water culture after removing all its roots due to root rot?

[@emhartjes]

Amazing to say the least.

[@PictureMaria1]

Elona Hartjes ...RIGHT!!! ....never would I have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes...orchids are so awesome...they never cease to amaze me...and indeed always expect the unexpected...they do whatever they want to do! :)

[@Puddycat00]

What State do you live in? I assume it has to be in the South where it’s hot all the time and orchids thrive

[@PictureMaria1]

Yes, I do live in Florida...the Sunshine State!

[@cheryljones5454]

I had an orchid that died late now has Crown rot. It was doing fine the leaves were nice and stiff I was afraid to take it out of the medium because I didn't have anything to replace it with I came back about two days later and I had no leaves. When I checked the leaves they were black at the base and the crown was pretty well dried up. I've taken the dead Roots off and I've been left with only the crown the stem and a few tiny roots. I sprayed the whole thing down with alcohol and put it in some smack that I had leftover but I don't think it's going to do anything. Everything except for the three little roots are dark brown. Is there anything else I can do three little roots thanks I'll keep watching

[@Puddycat00]

But the new root growths on yours are black. I had that too and cut it off thinking it was root rot. Taking care of orchids is so complicated. I really want to save my orchid but I just don’t know how. I’m so frustrated and desperately want to save it. But so much root rot. It does have a few green roots but most are cut off root rot. I live in NJ where it’s cold, I can’t just plant it outside near a tree like u did. I can’t let mine grow in nature. I wish I could. I would love that. So what do I do

[@PictureMaria1]

You may look into doing using the sphag and bag method. If it is savable, it may work.

[@LinardBraslin]

I was afraid this orchid was one of the sliced in two orchids. :D One of my orchids died of crown rot, also.

[@PictureMaria1]

+LinardBraslin LOL!!!! ...the one that experienced severe crown rot...is alive and well and still kicking!!! WHHEEEEEEEW!!!

[@princetongary9639]

I have this same problem but I don't no how I can fix this I'm in the middle of a Maine winter 412 I don't have access to all the humidity any other help would be greatly appreciated right now I just applied peroxide and I'm hoping that somebody out there will reply to one of my comments thank you for a lovely video I love orchids and one of these days I will find the right method to be more successful in the meantime please help me with any information because at this point it looks like I might be losing all of them I just looked in the not looking so great either

[@PictureMaria1]

I am so sorry to hear that...there are so many different ways to add humidity in the air...purchasing a humidifier, using a terrarium method (have a video on how to create one using a plastic soda bottle), the sphag and bag method...etc...I think the best method would probably be the sphag and bag method...you can use a zip lock bag and add some moistened moss. The bag will retain the moisture and create humidity for the orchid. I am hoping that you are able to save it.

[@princetongary9639]

Thank u so much for the reply, yeah I like the idea of the bag and moss,I'm going to give that a shot, also there's another guy person who does Orchid videos and he's big with the tea bags and how they help the Orchid along during a bad spell. It creates an environment causing the Orchid to grow roots I'm trying this right now so I'm hoping I'm successful. I'm not touching them I don't look or interrupt them and so far they been there for 2 days. I'm going give it a week and check them out and with any luck this will give them the boost Im looking for. I have noticed a lot of new growth with ally plants so I think the sunshine is making said return here in the good ole state of Maine! It's been cold and long ,I know I'm ready to get out in the dirt and start planting. Thanks again for your response

[@olegzu]

This is quality video!

[@PictureMaria1]

Thank you for your kind comment and for joining me on my orchid adventures!

[@TheVictoriasworld]

JUST IN TIME!!!!! My mini Phal, gave me a Huge surprise. It was not growing, showed signs of bad state. I began to report and after removing old media found that a lot of roots were dead. BUT on the stem that was almost black and just few good roots, at distance of 1 inch from old leaves I saw three tiny-tiny new leaves! New grows! And that was hidden in the medium. For several days I keep it without a medium, spray several times a day and provide humidity, storing in a container with some water on the bottom, but the leaves do not touch the water( not to let mold grow). I have no idea how long should I keep it like that. And the most difficult is to find out how to place that in the mediu, what kind of medium( May be just moss?) and ! The tiny grows goes perpendicular to the old leaves. I wish I could send a photo, but I have no idea how to do that on KZbin? May I send you photo by email? THANK YOU! very interesting!

[@PictureMaria1]

TheVictoriasworld YAAAAAAY that's awesome news!!! I would continue to keep it in this way until the leaves and roots get big enough...and she seems healthy enough to be repotted. Because she experienced root rot I wouldn't put her back into media right away...especially not moss. ...and I would repot her in either a mixture of bark and a little moss or just complete bark...and when the new plant is big enough and has enough roots I would cut her away from the mother plant so that I can plant situate in a better position that would not harm its growth. Let me know how it goes and yes please send me a picture...I would love to see it! :) [e-mail]

[@deandobbs2727]

Enjoyed your video! You should rethink possible!

[@PictureMaria1]

Thank you for joining me on my orchid adventures and I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@donphan7173]

I don't get it, what did she do? She kept explaining about how the orchid could be saved and wasn't specific about how she did it. All I know is that she put it on the dang tree. Can someone explain, I'm so confused.

[@carlachambers3522]

+Don Phan Don it is not complicated at all....she simply let nature do the work

[@PictureMaria1]

...I completely took the phal. out of it's media...sprayed it down with peroxide to kill off any harmful bacteria and allowed it to grow in my tree...watering it once or twice a day and indeed let nature take it's course...the key element in getting this Phil to survive was getting it out of it's rotting media...and encouraging new growth of root and keikie/new plant....if you can get it to do that...then you have a chance of saving it. I hope I cleared up the confusion that you had. LOL!

[@PictureMaria1]

+Carla Chambers thanks for explaining...it was a pretty simple process...no degree in science needed and indeed letting nature do the hard work. :)

[@donphan7173]

ohhhhhhhh okay

[@jachu1433]

Wow!!!

[@PictureMaria1]

That's what I said. Many people said that once it crown rots, there is no saving it...I'm glad that I stuck it through to discover that they in fact can survive by throwing off a keiki. That is why it is so important that you are willing to discover things on your own and not listen to whatever anyone says because half the time they are wrong.

[@andreasoilander5407]

What are those sounds in the background? Frogs? Cicadas?

[@PictureMaria1]

Andrea Soilander They were probably both...I have all sorts of critters in my garden...good catch! :)

[@andreasoilander5407]

PictureMaria1 I love frogs. :)

[@PictureMaria1]

Andrea Soilander I love them too...except when I go visit my garden at night to give my orchids an extra mist...and they jump on me out of nowhere and send me in a wild frenzy, running throughout my yard like a mad lunatic...other than that they're great! LOL!!! :)

[@CarnivorousPlantsAndGardening]

I rescued (but also kinda stole) an orchid someone has buried in the ground the crown was absolutely destroyed I had to remove most of it's core and most of it's single sad leaf I hope I can save it

[@nickrusse7944]

this was the peloric phal right?

[@PictureMaria1]

Yes it was! :)

[@nickrusse7944]

+MY Orchid Adventures how is this doing