Question
Baby Phaeleonopsis wit
Hi, I live in East Africa, Tanzania, where climate is preatty hot and humid. Two week ago I came back from Singapore with a baby phaelenopsis, in a sterile container. I planted it in a small pot , in charcoal medium, but it started to dry to leaves turned yellow and fell off within three days (there were 3 small leaves).
Roots turned black and dry. I started watring every day and kept the baby plant cool in the evening ( around 15 to 18 degrees centigrade) usually it is between 28 to 34 degrees centigrade.
The roots started to grow a bit but had soft ends. Three days ago i cut off the soft root parts with a new blade in aspirin solution and then soaked them in Hydrogen peroxide and replanted. today htey are more softter than before and am afraid to loose the palnt as the roots are getting shorter, and not longer.
I have no idea what to do to save the plant, and I don't have access to many of the fungicide advertised on teh website.
Please help
AnswerDear Ellen, I am so sorry, but this plant is in very bad shape. To try to save it, I would replant in a mix with fir bark instead of charcoal. That's what they are usually planted in here and they do very well. To be honest, I don't think you will be successful. It is pretty far gone, and the travel probably didn't do it any good. Unfortunately baby plants, and orchids in particular, are very delicate. I hope this doesn't keep you from trying to grow them. You should try an orchid like a vanda. They are big, love the heat, and have big beautiful flowers. I have found the phalaenopsis to be quite challenging because they prefer the cool, but vandas, vanilla orchids and others love the warm climate I have. I am sorry for the bad news; try it in fir bark, and let me know if I can be of further assistance. Good luck, Melissa
