I'm not too sure, but phals seem pretty resilient to me. Just give it a
while longer, most take 1-1.5 months to grow new roots in response to
stress. I've had some of my phals go rootless (the nursery didn't take
good care of them), but none have died so far, and most are recovering.
In my experience, if it has at least 1 leaf, and at least 1 inch of
total root, it will be okay most of the time. I've only ever lost 3
plants, the first due to crown rot because I was inexperienced (when I
was 16), the second when my parents bought one and left it to my care,
which didn't happen because I thought they were supposed to take care of
it. It died simply due to neglect....yeah I know, that's gotta be a sin
of some kind. This was last year when I was 21. And this year, I lost
a Phal. Sogo Rose 'Lee' because it got hit twice in half a year by a
fungal infection at the base. I can't explain it, all my other plants
have been fine, and I take care of them all the same way. I'm chalking
that one up to bad genetics.

Cheers,
Xi

J Fortuna wrote:
Ok, so how does one go about the spag'n'bag method of orchid rescue? When
does one do it? And what is it likely to accomplish?

I've got this one Phal that may not survive. I have been telling it that
we've got a record to uphold, since no orchid has died in my household yet,
but I'm beginning to worry that this orchid is deaf or stubborn or suicidal.
In early July it started growing one new leaf, but the leaf was always very
dark, and it stopped growing and remained small. It lost several leaves
earlier this year. I repotted it in August. When it started loosing another
leaf I cut off the yellow part and the other half survived for a while, but
now it's loosing that too, and after this it will just have one large leaf
of dubious health and the small dark not-quite new leaf. It used to have
healthy roots, but now most of the roots look dried out (at least the ones
close to the surface), however it does have a few tiny new roots that look
alive. All together, it's kind of sad looking. I don't think it has any
pests, and the plants right next to it have been very healthy.

Should I try this sphag'n'bag method? Or is there something else that I
could try? I might post a picture of this plant to abpo, if my camera will
cooperate.

Joanna