Root Rot on Zygopetalum Mathina Meadows

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Hello Orchid Growers:
I can't believe what happened to this orchid! It was blooming and growing great until it just...died. I took a look at the root system and was shocked at how rotten it was. I cut off the dead roots and tissue. All I am left with is one small, viable root. I repotted it in a back mix with spagham moss but now I am not sure if that's the best course of action.
Can anyone help me save this orchid?
Thanks,
Rhonda

[estación seca]

What are your day/night temperatures, humidity? Light? How are you watering?

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Michigan is notorious for its unpredictable weather so conditions change day by day. This June/July has been hot.Some days are very humid 80% are some days are low humidity. I water when the media is dry.
I think what happened was in the spring. We had a very cold/damp/cloudy spring so that's when it happened I think.
Whatever the cause my goal is to save this plant. What's the best way to that?

[estación seca]

Most Zygopetalum and hybrids shouldn't ever dry out. They're moist-growing plants. They also struggle with warm temperatures. Cold, damp and cloudy is what they like. Try and keep it as cool as you can, and don't let it get dry. They like bright light but not hot sun.

[Dollythehun]

Since we're roughly in the same area (+ or - a few hours) here's what I would do if it were mine: I'd repot with moss and some bark, 3 to 1 or so. I use clay pots because they breathe. I wouldn't use more than a 4" pot. Water just as the mix starts to dry out. Drizzle the water on or water from the bottom but, keep it damp, not soggy. ES is right, a cold, wet spell could have been the problem. My temps generally don't get above 80f in the highest heat, and I have great air circulation. You need to keep the air moving.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Rhonda Svoboda

I repotted it in a back mix with spagham moss but now I am not sure if that's the best course of action. Can anyone help me save this orchid?

I'm relatively new to growing zygo too. I have one plant that arrived only 2 months ago. A Debbie de Mellow 'Honolulu Bay' - took probably 1 week in the post (in a shipping box).

I think it was potted in bark and perlite mix. I just unpotted it, and put it into 5 mm average diameter scoria (lava rock).

As sources mention that the roots should remain damp or moist, I keep this important piece of information in mind.

I still apply my same watering method - applying the bulk of the water down toward the sides of the pot.

This doesn't mean that the regions toward the centre of the pot remains dry. Some water probably does propagate sideways down into the media during watering.

In any case, the conditions inside the pot stays moist enough to support the zygo without any issue. The zygo has been growing new roots and is producing new leaf/leaves. Direct morning sunlight does get on it for many hours ----- no issues.

My conditions here are tropical. Also, the growing area does get some nice natural air-movement for day and night. I'll take some pics later (sun is coming up right now) to show this orchid, alongside some other different small orchids grown in the same kind of medium - and same watering method applied.

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Thank you all for your suggestions!! I'll post an update when I have news to report.

[SouthPark]

Rhonda ------ I took these pics this morning.

The 'group' shot shows three pots on the left being Sedirea japonica, then the Zygopetalum, then a Sarcochilus ceciliae, and a mini phalaenopsis on the right-most side of the pic.

The Sedirea japonica had some leaves burned due to not being quite sun-hardened (oops!!!) - so I had to move them more into the shade. I didn't expect the morning sun to creep up that far when I first put these plants in a particular growing spot. These orchids are growing just fine now - growing roots as can be seen in the pics. Developing new leaf (leaves) too.

The Sarcochilus is being grown in larger size scoria - but I'm going to grow the same sort of plant in smaller size scoria all the same in future - to see how they go ----- probably should be ok too ----- paying attention to how I water them that is. This is my first ever Sarcochilus, and it's doing great. Growing new roots and new leaves too.

The mini-phal was purchased early November 2019, and the first of its new flower buds might open sometime soon! This is great. It has been growing nicely - although one of its leaves is (and has been) permanently yellow for many months --- as the sun got a bit bright ----- but the leaf itself appears to be just fine.

The Zyopetalum has a new leaf growing. The little blemishes on the plant were already there when I first got it. But absolutely no problem! The zygo is growing well.

Google links:
Group shot
Sedirea japonica 1
Sedirea japonica 2
Zygopetalum

[SouthPark]

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