Need help with root problem

[kjp8128]

I have been through the same thing with my orchids I have had in the past. Currently I have 11 orchids and some are suffering from root rot. Could you please share more detail about how you managed to control the orchid with root rot. I would love to try it. Also a picture would help greatly. Please spread your success! I am will in to buy or do what it takes. I basically have two of the 11 orchids with little roots left and some decent looking leaves and would like to save them as well as use the aquarium method you talked about to help my other orchids strive. Thank you!

[beanluc]

Here are a few threads which talk about this -

what to do with the rotted ones now (stop the rot progression)

and what to do in the future to avoid a repeat (adopt better watering habits):

Dead roots on my Brassia
testing for moisture/dryness
Newbie trying to save Phal ...
Rotting roots problem with my C. Genie May Spots x Bl. Morning Glory

[Ray]

Your problems will go away once you understand the basics of Air Management

[Swamper]

Originally Posted by Ray

Your problems will go away once you understand the basics of Air Management

Simple but great.

[kjp8128]

Thank you very much for the Air management information article. The reading helped me better understand how the root system of orchids works in relation to air and who this can help one choose medium that will work with their individual watering habits. This encourage me to think about how much I water and if I choose the correct medium and pot for air to reach the roots.

[kjp8128]

Thank you very much one link led me to a person who has the same problem as me. She even posted pictures that show the same problem. Thank you my orchid may live after all. I will let you know.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Ray

Your problems will go away once you understand the basics of Air Management

Great link Ray

[Ray]

As beginners, we all focus on watering - and the problems we have in doing so properly - but nobody ever switches the focus to air, which is actually more important.

It's sort-of an iterative process, but if you start by figuring out how to keep the root system airy, then you have to figure out how to get the plant sufficient water. If what you've done requires too much labor, you then have to make the root zone retain more water without sacrificing airiness.

Particle packing also plays a role (I have a piece about that on my Free Info page, too). I don't know about the rest of you, but I learned that adding small perlite particles was supposed to make the mix more open. In reality, mixing particle sizes actually reduces that.

[Undergrounder]

Ray i'm interested in hearing why you think orchids grown in water culture, or roots grown in S/H reservoirs survive even though they're not exposed to air.

Doesn't this suggest that roots don't need exposure to air at all? How does transpiration occur in submerged roots? In my own experiences, and from what i've read, the right kind of 'water' adapted roots can thrive in water such that the entire root system is submerged without any detriment to the plant.

[orchidsamore]

Undergrounder the situation in s/h is no different than bark you get very good air circulation since the medium never packs down.

Water culture is a totally different situation. Since rot can not grow without air the total lack of air in water prevents root rot. But you must keep the roots under water. If you let the water levels drop and refill after a while the rot will develop.