On 22/10/2014 22:27, Ophelia wrote:


"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 22/10/2014 20:06, Ophelia wrote:


"Spider" wrote in message
...
A few years ago, I was on the verge of losing a treasured white Phal.
given to me by a friend. It had almost flowered itself to death,
producing about 45 flowers in its final season, after years of normal
blooming. Someone on urg (probably Bob Hobden) told me that some white
Phals are reputed to die after such a grand flowering event.

I was determined not to lose it, but it began to look very sad indeed;
starting to deteriorate at the base of the crown from where the
underground roots grew. I removed it from its pot, cut away the
damaged
basal growth and old roots, which were also looking poorly.
I then repotted it by burying a few of the very healthy aerial roots,
still leaving many aerial roots above ground.

It took months for the plant to respond at all, and 2-3 years before I
could be sure it was alive and growing well. Earlier this year it put
out
a flowering spike, which is now blooming. Looking today, I see it
has a
2nd and 3rd flower spike just starting to develop. I am really chuffed
:~)). I appreciate that not everyone wants to go to this trouble and
would normally throw out such a sickly plant. However, where a
plant is
particularly valued (and patience in good supply!), it is well worth
the
trouble of resurrecting it.

Congratulations)) As always I am in awe of you

I still think you ought to write a book!


Thank you, Ophelia! It's amazing what desperation can drive you to
achieve. The hard bit was getting through those 3 yrs with my fingers
crossed;~). Sorry, still haven't started on that book.

I understand It is hard to write when you have your finger crossed
... ;-)



Tee hee :~)). Perhaps I'll have to get a secretary and start dictating.
I always told my father he should write a book. He knew far more than I
ever will. He didn't write one either.
--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay