Sphagnum moss

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papheteer

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Does anyone use sphagnum to revive rootless/dehydrated/struggling paphs? I have a few in bark that haven't done anything in a year.
 
I maintain an intensive care unit - a terrarium carpeted with deep live sphagnum over charcoal for drainage. Any pathetic dehydrated rootless orchids get nestled into the luxury of live sphagnum, and often recover. Just set them in place, base of the growth just into the sphag. If not otherwise occupied it it is the first stop for de-flasked seedlings, backbulbs, etc.
 
I use NZ sphagnum moss to put roots on rootless Paphs and Phrags. I use a large, black nursery pot and fill it to about 4" deep with styrofoam peanuts. Then, I gently drop, little by little, a layer of moss on top, to a depth of about 2". The moss is soaked and squeezed out; then it's fluffed up. I tease the long strands out and just let gravity pull them down on top of the thick layer of peanuts. I do not do ANY pressing down at all; although, I do use my fingers to shift the strands sideways so that the moss is evenly distributed on top of the styrofoam peanuts. I keep doing that until there's a very open, fluffy ~2" thick layer of moss on top. Then, using a finger, I gently "drill" holes in the moss and place the rootless base of the plants in the holes. You can do this with a 1 gallon pot for one plant; or like I do, use a 18" nursery pot for many plants all at once. When the plants are in place, do not water. The damp moss is enough. Losely cover the top with a piece of clear plastic. You want a little bit of air exchange; so, don't make the top fit perfectly. Keep an eye on this and when the moss looks like it's drying out, remove the plastic and spray with a fine mist. Allow the foliage to dry for a few hours; then place the plastic back on top. It can take a few months for a plant to recover; so, don't be in a hurry. I've found this to be the best method so far, for reviving rootless plants. When they've got good roots again, gently remove them and pot as usual.
 

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