Is the Phalaenopsis Rome Lover worth getting? Here's how to save it after root rot

Today I would like to introduce to you a truly divine Phalaenopsis orchid - Roma Valentine.

Bred by Shiina, the Phalaenopsis Roma Valentine can be called the ceiling of beauty in the Phalaenopsis world. The bright orange petals are bold and flamboyant, paired with the gentle accent of a rose-red lip, and the collision of these two colors creates a sense of luxury. A single flower reaches a full 5cm across, and when in bloom it looks like a flock of little butterflies, instantly lifting the atmosphere when placed at home.

Under normal care, Phalaenopsis Roma Valentine has a single spike that blooms for as long as 2-3 months, and if cared for well it can even last up to 4 months. What is more, it is a prolific-blooming variety, and with proper care it will send up 2-3 flower spikes, offering outstanding value for money.

Rescuing Root Rot

1.Unpot: if you notice the leaves turning yellow and going soft, unpot immediately and check the roots; the black, mushy parts are the rotted roots.

2.Sterilize: use sterilized scissors to cut away all the rotted roots, apply carbendazim powder to the wounds, and leave in a cool place to air-dry for 1-2 hours.

3.Sphagnum moss: soak new sphagnum moss in clean water, wring it out, then wrap it around the healthy roots and place in a transparent, breathable root-control pot.

4.Observation: do not water for the first two weeks; keep it in a spot with bright, indirect light and good airflow, and wait until the sphagnum moss is completely dry before giving a small amount of water; new roots will grow after 1 month.

Care Guide

1.Temperature: the ideal range is 20-28°C; in summer, when it exceeds 30°C turn on the air conditioning or use a fan to cool it down, and in winter, when it drops below 15°C move it indoors.

2.Watering: water only when the sphagnum moss is completely dry; poke a finger down to the bottom of the moss, and water thoroughly only once it is completely dry; in summer water once every 5-7 days, and in winter once every 10-15 days.

3.Light: never expose it to blazing sun; place it behind a sheer curtain on a south-facing windowsill, or on a north-facing balcony; 4-6 hours of bright, indirect light a day is enough.

4.Fertilizing: before the flowering season apply a phosphorus-potassium fertilizer once a month, and after flowering switch to a general-purpose nutrient solution; feed lightly and often, and do not fertilize during the summer dormancy period.

5.Humidity: it likes 60%-80% humidity; when the air conditioning makes things dry in summer, remember to mist around it every day to raise the humidity, but do not spray the flowers.

Points to Note

1. Do not grow it in soil; sphagnum moss or bark is the true ideal medium for Phalaenopsis.

2.Do not move it around frequently; Phalaenopsis that is constantly relocated easily drops its buds.

3.Do not give half-watering; always water until water flows out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

4.Do not blow air conditioning directly on it; a direct draft of cold air will cause the leaves of Phalaenopsis to turn yellow.