Green moss growing on orchid seedling's root

[Leoluro]

Hi, I recently purchased a rhyncostylis seedling from a nursery and it came with some green moss growing on one of the roots. It was doing alright for a bit but the lower most leaf has since started to turn yellow and the upper leaves arent looking too good. From my research, it seems like there is a lack of nutrients.

I'm wondering if the green moss is partly to blame and if I should do something to get rid of the moss on the root.

Thank you for your help

[Carebear2]

Hi Leo, from your research it might be but from my experience it probably isn't.

Rhynchostylis seedlings are extremely slow growers taking up to 7 years to mature in the first place

You need to know how to water orchids properly first in order to succeed, practicing on a Rhynchostylis is not a great move, I would suggest you start with a bigger dendrobium Nobile first.

There is just too much to cover from pests, to ph, to feeding the right amount (ie not too much - not the other way round) to temperature to knowing what ratio of nutrients an orchid needs, how much to water and what media to use. Everything needs to be dialed in corrrectly otherwise it can go downhill fast as it is so small, any thing other than will kill the fragile roots. Even tap water will probably kill the roots.

I myself bought a Rhynchostylis seedling over a year ago, it arrived in a terrible state, lost all its roots, lost a leaf and after several months regrew a root, that died again, it now has 2 new leaves and will still probably take 7 years to mature still.

I don't want to be negative, I want you to be realistic.

The fact you are asking this question means you need more experience to have started experimenting with one of the hardest seedlings to start with.

But yes you need to check the state of the roots. Ideally show us a picture so we know what you are working with

[estación seca]

Moss on roots means they were kept in high humidity. I wouldn't worry about this. Rhynchos need humidity that high to grow well.

I've had different experiences with Rhynchostylis. I found them easy to grow, and forgiving. They need rather than prefer high humidity, high temperatures and high amounts of fertilizer to grow well. I find they make leaves nearly as fast as Vandas when happy. They make roots less frequently than Vandas, and do it in spurts. A root will begin, and grow rapidly. Then it stops. It may be weeks or months before more root growth. If it's not humid enough roots don't grow much and die back. If a growing tip is scratched on something, it stops growing.

Fortunately even a large plant can survive with a tiny amount of healthy roots if you water often enough. They need daily watering. The roots do need to be very well aerated and dry between waterings to stay healthy. That's why many people grow them in baskets.

Tell us about your growing conditions - temperatures day/night in summer/winter, humidity, light? How are you watering? It's hard to say what is wrong with your plant without more information, but I think most people don't water them enough.