Recovery from root rot?

[Sekhmet]

Hi All,

I have two paph species, villosum and barbigerum. I unpotted them today, and noticed the barbigerum in particular had several rotten roots. It looks like I have been over-watering them (I was soaking them...).

I changed their medium, they are in a fine charcoal, fir bark and sponge rock mix, and I watered soaked them for about 5 minutes in dilute solution of rooting hormone. The were in medium fir bark.

I am hoping that this new medium will help with evap, and that I won't lose them, but what do you think my chances are here?

[WhiteRabbit]

Are there good roots left? If so I think it should be ok. Hopefully others can chime in

[Sekhmet]

One plant had one nice intact root, the other had three. I am really bummed that I let them get this way, as this is obviously all my fault. I think it was the combination of the 15 minute soaks once a week, and daily misting...maybe move to pour through waterings, and lay off the misting.

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[WhiteRabbit]

Hard to say how often to water as so much depends on your climate as well as potting media. Mine are potted in a mix of medium and fine bark, with some perlite and charcoal. In winter - once a week watering is sufficient, in summer I water well once a week, and spray some water into the media once or twice a week. I also use bamboo skewers in all my orchid pots to help determine how often to water - it's been a big help to me.
I think since there are good roots still on your plants they should be ok with a bit of reduction in watering. Tho fresh media will dry faster for a couple months, and it's now probably much warmer weather - so skewers may be a good idea to get a handle on how often to water.

[RosieC]

I do 15min soak waterings of all my Paphs and they seem fine with that, I do let them go almost dry in between though and don't mist my Paphs at all.

One thing about Paphs is that the roots grow very very slowly, but I think if you have any then they should recover eventually.

I have one which was in too big a pot for it and I hadn't realised the medium in the middle was not drying between waterings and I lost all but one root. I repotted it in a teeny tiny pot (about 1.5") and it has now got much stronger in it's leaves and seems to be recovering. With the small pot I water more than once a week and can be sure it's drying and it seems to be working.

[Sekhmet]

Thanks for the advice/support guys! I am hoping that these two paphs recover!

[Zozzl]

I finally figured out why my paph roots were rotting/dying and it was because my water was too alkaline and it killed/burned the roots. I treat the water for my paphs with some ph stuff from the pet store and I am finally able to grow them. Duh! Guess I am slow I guess rainwater would work too.

Pat

[RosieC]

Really interesting to know Pat, thanks for the update. Good to know they are now growing for you.