Roots/growth/moisture

[Piper23]

A few weeks ago I received a suggestion that the pots my orchids were in might be too big. I re-potted in a smaller pot. When I did the roots didn't look so great so I treated with Kelpak following recommendations before re-potting. Since then it continues to not do well (losing leaves) and the roots appear in picture 1.

The second picture shows how all of my orchids are potted- it seems like airflow should be good. However, two weeks after giving the orchids a good water, the periphery of the potting media is dry but the bark at the core is still wet.

Suggestions for each problem?

New England, southwest facing windows, room temperature 68-70.

[Roberta]

2 weeks is not enough time to evaluate the effect of a treatment - your orchid needs some time to grow new roots.

[estación seca]

If you could get a heat mat and a humidifier it would probably recover faster.

[Leafmite]

In the days of old, they recommended putting styrofoam peanuts in the middle and bottom. I sometimes receive orchids potted this way.

Uneven drying was my problem with using bark in my growing conditions here in Ohio. Some roots would get too dry and some would rot. This is why I eventually switched to lava rock...always guaranteed plenty of air around the roots.

[KatieM]

I agree with leafmite. Is it just bark you have them in? Anything else in there? How often are you watering?

Even down here in humidity central aka Florida I can't use just bark. I have to mix in some sphag. I usually add a little charcoal and lava rock as well as some sponge rock too (it really depends on what I have but I always add a minimum of sphag and sponge rock). When you are getting new roots to grow on these types you want to make sure they don't get too dry (not soaking either mind you). Adding something a little more moisture retentive can make a big difference and help them dry more evenly. Don't give up! Stick with the kelp. Maybe just add some extra goodies into that mix. It can take months and the old leaves may not always bounce back but when you start to see that first new leaf pop through you'll do a happy dance.