Phal Roots

[Woods]

Hi all,

Thought I would have a look at the roots of my phal. What I noticed is that some roots have parts that are hollow and grey (sometimes in the middle of a root) but other parts of the root are green. If it has green sections I assume it is alive. Is this correct?

The roots are mostly very long.. Is there a risk of the grey/hollow sections of roots spreading? should I trim off the dead sections and lose the green ends?

A

[kmarch]

Is the dead section in the middle of the root with healthy tissue on each end?

[Aniko]

Often, when a root is broken - not entirely, only cracked - portions of velamine are decaying (the fleshy envelop of a root which stores water).If the root system is strong, big, these sick roots should be removed.If the plant have few roots, I would wait for the active rooting period when new roots rapidly replace the lost ones.
The process of decay, in my experience, spreads only along the same root, not to the others.

[Woods]

The dead sections have green on either side. The tips of these roots are very green and very firm. These are the roots that are inside the pot. There seemed to be a lot of roots - some very very long. A couple of the roots also seemed to have a smaller root attached to them - it does not look like the root has split or sprouted a new growth but maybe it has.
The plant is still in flower and looks beautiful. The last bud opened the other day.
A

[prisana]

You can wait until the plant finished blooming and then when you repot it, trim off all the dead roots..it's not necessary to trim off any roots now. Your plant will be fine.

I have a phal that has been in the same pot and medium for years and the medium was all mushy and decayed. I couldn't wait to repot, thinking the roots inside were probably all dead and rotten . When the last flower finally fade away, I feared the worst and did not want to look inside the medium. To my surprise, it did not have one bad root in the pot, the worst ones were the ones sitting on top of the medium , they did not look that great.

So I really don't think you have anything to worry about now with the roots and all..phals have vigorous root system and if you lost one or two..more will grow back. It's the growing season for phal now , and they are breaking out with new leaves and roots everywhere , quite a sight to see. Good luck

[Aniko]

Woods, I wouldn't bother it now.The old roots die, new roots grow, it's the normal life cycle.
Few dead roots are normal and don't harm the rest of the plant.Leave it alone and enjoy the bloom.
(Sometimes we are tempted to over pamper our plant )

I see Prisana says the same thing!!!!

[PhalPal]

Hi Woods - just today I replanted some Phals and saw exactly what you are describing, green-brown-green roots. If the bottom half of the root is green and plump it is getting what it needs to stay that way so i wouldn't worry about it. Every time I take a plant out of the pot it is a new learning experience! I have gotten used to the fact that there are always dried up roots to cut off, even a few soggy ones. I'm to the point in my experience that if I have more green, thriving roots then brown I am thrilled! Good luck with your plant and enjoy your blooms.

[Woods]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. Will just leave it as it is. The problem roots are green and plump at the ends so apart from giving it another soak when it needs it, I will not start snipping off roots. I will just enjoy the gorgeous flowers.

A