Black stuff on Ascocenda roots

[JennS]

I have a recently purchased Ascocenda Princess Mikasa. It was almost finished blooming when I got it with only 3 flowers left on the stalk. They looked pretty good, but strangely the stalk was dying and it was dying from the end attached to the plant, not the tip of the shoot. I thought that was strange because usually mine wait for the flowers to fall off then brown from the tip backwards. This one was brown the other way with flowers still attached. The roots also have some black mossy type stuff on some of the roots. It feels like moss or something, but the color is a bit disturbing. The roots appear otherwise healthy and the plant looks good too. Any thoughts???

[JennS]

In case anyone was worried... The plant looks good and has new roots growing off the old ones with the black stuff on them, so I am guessing it is ok! Yay!!!

[unhappykat]

It sounds like a moss. Try soaking the roots in some water containing physan in order to kill it off. If new roots are forming thats a good sign. Sometimes the flower stalks like to do their own thing so dont worry unless you smell anything like rot coming from the dying stem.

[addictedcountryman]

lol I also received a vanda/asc and it also has moldy looking roots, but there are fresh roots poking out from them.

[JennS]

I was just concerned about it looking black...not usually a color I like associated with my orchids! I noticed some purplish looking things and then noticed they are just new roots shooting out from the black area. It has at least 4 of them coming off that one root. Keep in mind I have only had it for 2-3 weeks and it was looking a bit neglected when I got it...so I am pretty happy to see root growth already.

Unhappykat - I think you are right, it's some kind of moss. Will have to get some Physan and try it. Thanks!