Phalaenopsis Root Fungal Growth - Orchid Board

samcordero29 · #1 10-14-2019, 10:18 PM

Hello all,

I gave my phalaenopsis to a friend to take care of for a year, and when I got it back many of the roots seemed shriveled as if from underwatering, but there was also white "fuzzy" fungal growth and small white spots on the roots as if it had been overwatered. I soaked the roots and substrate in physan at a concentration of 1 tbsp/gallon of water for 20 minutes, and since then have been watering with physan+water, but the orchid's condition just seems to get worse. The white growth has reduced in size, but now almost all of the roots are black/dark brown, except for the ones near the base of the leaves, and the leaves are turning yellow and then brown starting from the oldest leaves. All new growth in the leaves has stopped. Is there anything I can do to save the plant?? This is the first time my orchid has been sick so I don't really know what to do.

Ray · #2 10-15-2019, 07:57 AM

That plant is severely desiccated, which could be either from underwatering (that's my guess, as I see absolutely no sign of fungus) or overwatering that has led to sub-surface root death (which you should check) and the inability to take up water.

camille1585 · #3 10-15-2019, 08:09 AM

Welcome to Orchidboard!

Have you unpotted the plant at all to see what the roots are like? If there's still a decent amount of roots, I'd start by giving the plant a good long soak, a couple of hours. That substrate looks rather chunky so it could be that your friend hasn't been watering enough or correctly for the plant to get enough water.

If the roots are mostly dead it would be best to repot in a smaller pot (so that the substrate dries more evenly).

In both cases, while it recovers try to keep it in a warm spot in shady conditions. I see some nice root nubbins at the base of the plant, which is good news for the plant. From observation of my plants, it seems that a light daily misting of those root nubs encourages them to wake up and grow.

samcordero29 · #4 10-15-2019, 01:10 PM

Thanks so much to both of you for your responses. I took the orchid out of its pot and took photos of what I think is the remaining fungal growth on the roots (attached). For the moment I've moved it to a shady spot and am misting the little green roots, as suggested, but I'm wondering if I should remove all of the black/brown roots, or leave them? And if I leave them, whether I should continue using the physan when I water?

samcordero29 · #5 11-16-2019, 08:31 PM

Hi,

My orchid isn't improving and appears to be getting worse. I have removed all of the damaged roots. There are still a few roots, but the leaves are wilting and the roots don't seem to be growing. I'm spraying the roots with water with fertilizer regularly.

Does anyone have any advice?

aliceinwl · #6 11-16-2019, 11:54 PM

Fertilizer isn’t going to do any good in this state. Hold off on fertilizing until it can regrow its roots.

I’ve had good luck using KelpMax to stimulate root growth if you want to give it a “push”. A seedling heat mat may also help.

With Phalaenopsis, I haven’t bothered with the above and I usually just secure them to a stake to keep them stable, pot them in a 3 inch diameter slotted pot in fine bark, and put them in a location receiving bright indirect light. I water whenever the bark is dry by holding them under the tap and make sure the base of the plant gets hit with water. Within a month or so there is usually the beginnings of a new root where the water hits the base. It can take a year or more for the plant to fully recover.

SouthPark · #7 11-17-2019, 05:33 AM

Maybe could have tried applying a *systematic* fungicide for orchids ... sprayed onto leaves and roots, then pot into new media ... my own media of choice would be 5 to 10 mm average diameter scoria rock.... into a very good drainage pot. Medium indirect light ... and ensure good air movement. And provide comfortable temperatures. Only water the media. Water every morning.

Put the pot on something (a suitable stand or mesh drainage grate etc.) that allows any water in the pot to drain out through the holes at the bottom of the pot.

We can then wait and hope for the very best.

Ray · #8 11-17-2019, 07:21 AM

Fungus does not grow on healthy tissue, it grows on dead or dying tissues. Giving it a fungicidal treatment is likely going to do more harm than good, in my opinion.

At a minimum, the plant needs a very warm, very humid environment with a steady supply of water.

SouthPark · #9 11-17-2019, 04:50 PM

Only reporting in to mention that I've sprayed every one of my incoming (mail) orchids with Mancozeb. I haven't encountered a single issue with spraying leaves and roots with it. Nobody recommended me to do that. I just do it as a pre-treatment.

I also repot all my orchids that come in through the mail. This doesn't mean it's necessary to go through all of this. I just do that - just in case.

Totally agree that the orchid here needs to get water into it. The surface bark pieces appear really dry.

Also - if those roots at the base of the crown are the only ones that are alive and hanging on, then pot the orchid with growing media surrounding those roots, so that they can start getting moisture into or onto them, all the time - with good air circulation too. Choose the growing media to be of appropriate size - so that the moisture in the media can get transferred to those roots that are still alive. Keep watering those roots, and keep the media around those roots moist. Remember to provide good air circulation ... to the whole system .... internal growing media, roots, stem and leaves.

samcordero29 · #10 11-23-2019, 09:24 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice. I have been watering regularly and spraying the roots with water often. I live in the subtropics so it is always humid, but the bark dries out quickly.

I am concerned that the leaves and roots don't appear to be growing at all. I have been treating the orchid for more than a month now with no new growth. The roots are green, but do appear sick. The leaves that the orchid had are now starting to brown.

Any additional advice? I'm really just hoping for a sign that the orchid is improving.