How to deal with root/ stem rot

[Cilla221]

I bought an phalinopsis orchid online and when I got it it had black and rotting roots as well as some black on part of it's steam.. I sprayed it with hydrogen peroxide already should I repot it should should I cut out the black and dead roots. This will leave the plant with very few roots. Should I grow it in a vase so I can see the roots? Not sure what to do with this plant

[Orchid Whisperer]

Can you post some good clear pictures of the plant? The whole plant, but also some photos of the parts you are concerned with.

FWIW, I would not advise spraying roots with hydrogen peroxide (a moderate to strong oxidizer).

[jkofferdahl]

My thoughts are that cutting off the bad roots was a good thing. If there are even 4-5 inches of viable root then the plant should recover. The black on the stem may or may not be an issue, but I probably would gently scrub it off with soap. I've not tried SH and so can't answer about trying a vase. My advice would be to pot the plant in large bark, and if it is at all wobbly use some sort of anchor to hold it firmly in place. For the first week or three, allow the bark to get more dry than usual, which will urge the plant to seek water and thus create new roots. As soon as you see new root growth go back to watering as normal.

[fishmom]

Cilla221, you don't say when you got this plant. If it just arrived, you would be wise to send a picture of the rot to the vendor and see if they would make it right. Many quality vendors would do this.

[AnonYMouse]

What fishmom said.

[Optimist]

Phals do not ever have a huge amount of roots. They can live with less roots than you might think. In some cases the Rot, just hardens and the leaf falls off. I just got rid of a rotted P-bulb this morning.

A proper vendor (green house owner) would not sell a sick plant. Places where often you will find sick plants are the grocery stores, the big box stores. They are simply not trained to look after orchids.

[Cilla221]

here are some pics of the plant on the day I got it. I have had this orchid about a week now. Its hard to tell but a large portion of the stem is black. I suppose I should have taken better pics I do realize this plant has some really good roots and over all it looks ok. I was not worried about the roots having some rot, I was more worried that a portion of the stem was also soft and black. my main concern was if it would spread to the good areas of my plant, sorry everyone I should have worded my original post better. thanks so much for your replies I cut out the black roots I will keep it a little bit on the dry side I hope this plant survives. I have not contacted the vendor just simply because I have had the plant for a week and although the root rot/stem rot was there when I got it, in this past week I might have made it worse, for me this is ok I don't want my plant to die but if i can get it healthy again it will be worth the learning experience http://www.orchidboard.com/community.../new/smile.gif