Epidendrum with soggy brown roots

[Kilmiquix]

So, I may have killed my yellow epidendrum.

When I got it many weeks ago, it was in a nursery pot with soil. I moved it to a clay pot with bark. It sat on the ground (in a larger so it sat off the ground and could drain freely) under the tree in partial sun.

As the weeks went by, it bloomed beatifully, and the leaves stayed a nice green. The surface roots were green, too! So, I didn't worry.

But then, I noticed that a few of the aerial roots shriveled and died, and then two bottom leaves turned yellow and brown. I pulled it out of the pot to check it out, and the roots in the bark were not pretty. Some mushy brown, a few black, and some were wet and white. Some of the roots fell off in the process.

I reflection, I think the clay pot may have been too big/too deep, and the roots were getting no air circulation at all to compensate for the water it was getting. I guess I didn't check deep enough for moisture when deciding to water.

I immediately moved it to a small wooden basket and gave it fresh orchid bark. But I did not water it. It is now hanging in partial shade.

Hopefully, it will survive. It so very pretty.

And this is supposed to be one of the easier orchids to care for!

Is there anything else I can/should do to give it the best chance?

[Dollythehun]

What kind of Epidendrum was it? Do you have a picture?

[Kilmiquix]

It is Epidendrum radicans (bright yellow, but not orangy). No pics of roots as i didnt have my camera handy upon discovery and its already in new pot.

I will take a pic of it once the sun rises and post here as an edit.

[Dollythehun]

Others will undoubtedly disagree with me. I have a few of these and every couple years I divide them (they get huge and I can't imagine them hanging in a tree). I would shake off, or gently pull off the dead roots, cut it back to a few inches. I'd pot it in a terrestrial mix (they are a terrestrial orchid) in a free draining clay pot. Water once, give it diffused light and let it run on the dry side. Stick your finger further Into the mix ort judge by weight. When it starts new growth, you can gradually give it more sun. It may throw keikis from the cut branches, when they have good roots, 3" or more, you can detach them and pot them up. This plant seems to do well with benign neglect.

Stop flogging yourself. We all get careless at times.