Some Questions About My Orchid

[Kassey77]

I have a phal, which has been struggling with its roots since its last flowering - about 6 months - there are 2 roots left - 1 about 2 inches long, and quite plump but ending in a dark tip and another one very short and stumpy with the same tip. The new ones on the base of the plant are just black bumps. The 3 leaves remarkably are not shriveled, but not full size either, but I would really like some new root action!! So far I have sprinkled it with sulfur powder to stop the possible rot (the bottom part of the plant where roots used to be attached is black but not mushy) and taken it out of its pot and put into a smaller vanda pot - holes on the sides etc to make sure there is good aeration.
Also some of my other phals with healthier roots, the tips sometimes appear like they have been eaten out - although I see no bugs in the mix at all and they are indoors! What could that be???

[brookn]

Hi, I have moved your post to it's own thread. Welcome to Geeks! I worked overnight so I am tired, but I know that someone will come along to help you with some of your questions. I will give you some links to help you learn how to care for your plant.

AOS | Phalaenopsis

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/new...f-orchids.html

[mayres]

"the tips sometimes appear like they have been eaten out"
This sounds like root rot issues. The root "flesh" rots away leaving a thin stringlike center and a papery shell - no substance.
To get your roots to grow you will need good indirect lighting, humidity & warmth.
In short - good culture as noted in the link provided by Brookn.
Good luck!

[mehitabel]

Eaten roots? suspect cockroaches. Florida people tell me they eat roots. I've seen them in various dampish media many times, running out when the container was jostled or water was poured in. However, haven't found any in my pots yet, thank heavens. I would drop the pot, for sure.

Bush snails also eat roots. These are very small and hard to see. About 1/4 the size of a pencil erasor. They hang around on the roots. Sometimes come from Hawaiian nurseries. Apparently bush snails are endemic there. You can wash them off the roots with soap. Soapy water isn't a bad idea for a root wash where you are having eaten roots. Google and see what you can find for other remedies.

About your root-damaged phal. I use a gel rooting hormone very liberally, and with the gel, I've found that more is actually better. Don't know if that's true for powder, but here's what I've found with the gel:

The black bumps on the stem of the plant can grow into green roots. Since your p lant is desperate for new roots, smear liberally with rooting hormone. I would also coat these with powder if I were using powder, BTW.

I cut the stem, even if just 1/4" so there is a fresh cut, and put root hormone on it. I put root hormone on every cut root (I have used posder for these and for the cut stem). Where a cut root is painted with root hormone, it often creates a couple of new root tips off the cut. Painting the (gel) hormone on existing roots causes them to branch.

Your basket solution sounds good. If you start to get leaf wilting, put into a humidity box or bag up the leaves. A little humidity and some root hormone really outght to get your phal starting new roots.

[digitalgate]

ditto, sound like root rot or fungus problem.

[Kassey77]

Thank you so much for your replies! Well the eaten out roots were actually on top of the mix and are different from root rot as I know what that looks like! There was one little cockroach in there who has now "moved on" and people here always told me they don't eat the roots although I always suspected that they do! Does anyone know where one would get this rooting gel in Australia or if striking powder works the same way??

[mehitabel]

Hi. I'm not sure what "striking powder" is. I suspect it is what I'm calling root hormone. Root hormones are also called "cloning compounds". The active ingredient is IBA (Indole Butyric Acid) or NAA (Napthalene Acetic Acid). For a source, google these, or check out the hydroponics stores or websites. The hydroponics people know everything about chemicals.

It works! The powder will work as well as the gel. The only thing I'm not sure of is whether you can use too much of the powder. So far, liberal use of the gel has been beneficial ie, haven't found "too much".

BTW, I should have mentioned that insecticidal soaps can be used safely as a drench for the pots, in case (as is likely) whatever is eating your roots is living in the pot. The soap dissolves the exoskeleton of insects. It is also harmful to things like caterpillars, but doesn't hurt plant roots, including orchids. Water thoroughly before drenching.

It will have a detergent effect, so you have to watch the watering for a while, as the pot will tend to stay wetter.

Good luck.

[Kassey77]

YES that is exactly what is in it.. I am going to dab some on the root area right now.... you think that will tell my phals that I want more roots from them? Does that also stop any new cutting area from vulnerability to rot?

[mehitabel]

Yes, it seals any cut ends of roots or stem, thereby inhibiting rot. As for telling your phals to make roots-- yesss, it sure does!

[Kassey77]

Now I just need to find an insecticide soap to kill those cockroaches that manage to evade me during the repotting with extra polystyrene and some striking powder!! Fingers crossed!!