Sick Phalaenopsis continual root rotting and now shriveling? Please help!

[bil]

Originally Posted by Cassey

Ok Guys,

I have NO idea how this happened but I got my repotting supplies today and fertilizer. So I began unpotting my little phal and a lady bug was on the roots!!! I have no idea how it even got in there. This is an indoor phal. I don't know if he would've been eating the roots or not but he was in there. I was really freaked out. I would've uploaded pics but it is giving me an error :/ I ended up damaging the only growing root tip I saw trying to repot this poor guy in new bark. very sad. The phal still does have a few areal roots and shorter new roots as well. I also saw a nub I'm sure was going to be a root as well so hopefully I can let him sit and grow now.

As far as fertilizer, It's not per say, special, but urea free orchid food

I have a question if anyone knows or could help! If a root is damaged towards the end, is it ok to cut the damaged portion? Would the root be able to grow again or at least not go bad further up?

Also, I am sure I'd have the tendency to be an orchid hypochondriac so I am definitely trying to relax and let the poor thing grow. I just wish I was more educated when I first got the poor thing!!


I appreciate all of your help and advice!

Don't cut any part of any root. Old dead roots also have a function I have read, ad in cutting you might damage a good root.

[Leafmite]

These things happen. Just soak it in seaweed solution to keep encouraging the roots. I have found that when re-potting, I leave new roots above the medium to prevent damage. When the roots have buried themselves in the medium, I might then cover up the exposed part of the root. Good luck!

[Cassey]

Rbarata,

Thank you, I don't think I phrased my question properly. I mean for rotten or dead roots is it better to cut the entire root off or leave the healthy portion above the rotten part? Sorry! I have my phal repotted and will be leaving him alone as much as possible now. I am noticing this bark dries out super fast so I may have to water it a lot more but with the holes in the pot that I made I don't think it would be too dangerous! Seriously, this bark seems almost completely dry throughout the pot in hours :/ yikes.

[rbarata]

New bark with lots of holes... although not the best practice (in my oppinion), I would soak it for 10 to 15 mins when watering.
With so many holes you might risk to lose some water through the holes...water that could be used to wet the medium.

[flowerpower]

Your phal is healthy and in my opinion you do not need to act on that root. Even if the root did fully die, I would still just leave it. Phal roots should not be a rotten mess but they do sometimes lose one or two old roots especially if they got broken during repotting. I think it probably just dried out a bit and whithered. You can spray the aerial roots if you like to keep them moist (lightly) - this will reassure you as the grower that it is getting moisture without you re-watering the pot. Your 5-7 day watering sounds about right, I prefer going a full 7 days and even longer in winter. Always wait a day or two if in doubt.

Please don't worry about dry media. When I joined orchid board 7 years ago I was worried too. But this is why we are using bark and not soil. The single most important advice I ever received is "water when you see the roots go silver". I hear this advice every time I water them. This does not mean leaving it a month but a phal rarely needs water more than once a week in a plastic pot unless your phal is somewhere very hot and dry.

When the roots are green the orchid is saturated with water in its root coating so is fully hydrated and will gradually begin to use that water over the next few days. It does not need to suck in more water from the dry media which is mostly just there fix the phal in place. The media may maintain a bit of humidity in the pot for a few days and slow the drying but that's about it.

I still have all 12 Phals (and a few more) from when I joined orchid board in 2009 by following this simple advice. They thrive on "benign neglect"!

The second most important advice I ever received on phals is to avoid direct sunlight. They can burn very quickly and very badly when your back is turned! I would check which direction your window is facing - if it is south facing keep it well back, if it is north facing put it in the window. East and west are usually good choices.