Orchid Root Rot.. Did I solve the problem?

[m1ndpixel]

After noticing a leaf turning yellow, and dried section on other leaves, I came to realize I may have over water my new orchid (My first ever.. also)...

What I did was unpotted the orchid to see the extent of the damage.. Most of the new roots had rotten complete and were hollow.. I removed the watered orchid substrate and dried it in the oven for a couple of minutes

I cleaned away the dead roots I found, and now im only left with 3-4 healthy root emerging from the near base of the plant.

I repotted the plant with the oven dried mix... Do you think it will be ok?

Thanks

[FLBob]

My heart skipped a beat when I read "oven". Don't know how hot the "oven" was, but orchids really don't like hot.

Now that you don't have a root mass, the pot should be sized to the existing roots. You don't want to over pot.

[m1ndpixel]

I dried the substrate it was in, not the orchid it self (as in the orchid was never in the oven.. )

[NancyH]

Hi M1ndpixel,
First of all, what kind of an orchid is it? Maybe the potting medium was rotten and used up. If so, no matter what you do to re-use it, it won't be beneficial to your plant no matter how you treat it. Can you send a photo? That way we can identify the plant and help you find the correct medium to use. Old medium can harbor much bad bacteria ect, that even if heated a bit would not kill it. I think a microwave will kill some bacteria, not sure about a virus though. Best to spend a couple of bucks on a nice new bag of orchid potting medium.(orchid bark size in bags are not the same, that is why it is important to identify the orchid). Be sure and soak the medium over night to moisten it before potting up. Good luck and send us a photo. Nancy