/ Register

Welcome to OrchidsForum.com. We are a friendly online community for Orchid Growers all over the world. If you haven't joined yet we invite you to register and join our community. Hope to see you on our forums!

Sphag in Bag alternative

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by summertime3612, Dec 11, 2014.

  1. Dec 11, 2014 #1
    summertime3612

    summertime3612 New Member

    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have an orchid that has a pretty poor root system. I cut off the soft roots and it is left with maybe four but they aren't even green... They are like a dried out tan color. So, in the hopes of getting it better, I soaked it for an hour in a superthrive solution (two weeks ago)
    I'm trying a type of sphag in a bag technique, but instead of using a bag I'm using this weird cyndrilical plastic container that a bunch of Christmas ornaments came in... I know, weird! But it works great because I can take the lid on and off. I have it suspended above the sphag, which is soaked in a water/bleach solution. It's in a warm and dark location. I'm wondering if anyone has had luck with this sphag in a bag trick??
    This is the container it's in:
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Dec 12, 2014 #2
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

    Messages:
    1,826
    Likes Received:
    592
    Location:
    Oak Island NC
    What you have there is an "economy nanoviv", in essence, and it ought to work very well for that application.

    Keep in mind that "sphag-n-bag" is not a rescuer of plants, but is really just a stalling technique. The plant with a poor root system cannot take up water, but its biological processes still consume it, and as it respires, water is lost through the stomata, and the two can ultimately lead to desiccation and death. Put the plant in 100% RH, and the water loss during respiration is minimized, giving the plant an extended opportunity to regrow roots and start taking up more water.

    How fresh is the SuperThrive you have, and at what concentration was it used for soaking the plant?
     
    xmpraedicta likes this.
  3. Dec 12, 2014 #3
    summertime3612

    summertime3612 New Member

    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thank you for the info Ray! I used two drops for a gallon. I bought the SuperThrive less than a month ago but I was concerned because it was sitting in an outdoor greenhouse area that had no heat. I've read that it loses It's potency when exposed to the cold?

    Also, excuse my ignorance but by RH, you mean rooting hormone? Is there a specific type that works best?
     
  4. Dec 12, 2014 #4
    summertime3612

    summertime3612 New Member

    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Nevermind, "relative humidity" got it. Thank you for your help Ray
     
  5. Dec 13, 2014 #5
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

    Messages:
    1,826
    Likes Received:
    592
    Location:
    Oak Island NC
    1) in the case of the synthetic rooting hormones, cold is good. It is heat that degrades them rapidly, so I'd be a bit concerned that it was in a greenhouse, and wonder for how long.

    2) For rescuing a plant, a soak in a solution of about a teaspoon per gallon is needed. Your two drops likely did little.
     
  6. Dec 14, 2014 #6
    summertime3612

    summertime3612 New Member

    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Okay I will do that. I couldn't find any instructions for orchids on the internet and none on the packaging. I only saw warnings not to use too much on orchids because it will make the blooms deformed. I will go with your advice, one teaspoon per gallon
     
  7. Dec 15, 2014 #7
    naoki

    naoki Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,470
    Likes Received:
    1,200
    Location:
    Fairbanks, Alaska
    Also you should store it in dark. There is a study showing that the auxin broke down quickly (with a couple days) under moderate light (both synthetic IBA and natural IAA).
     
  8. Dec 15, 2014 #8
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

    Messages:
    1,826
    Likes Received:
    592
    Location:
    Oak Island NC
    As far as I am aware, the only flower deformation ever seen in orchids was in phalaenopsis plants that had been given about a tablespoon of SuperThrive per gallon every few days for over two months. Every other plant given that treatment showed normal blooming. Fortunately, after eliminating that treatment, in subsequent flowerings, they returned to normal.

    I have also heard that such overdosing can stunt the growth of plants, but I have no first-hand knowledge of that.