Dig out partially/fully rotted roots?

[Mamarazzi]

Phals: Being brand new to orchids, I was over watering when I first adopted them. Now they are very happy but I have some sketchy looking roots that look like they've rotted for an inch or so but then there is good root going down into the pot. So, should I snip any root that looks unhealthy? Should I leave the root in the pot for organic matter or should I try to remove it to make room for more, healthier roots?

Two of my plants have new roots started- one from the base of the plant and the other is a new tip on a 1 1/4" root. I haven't used any hormones or anything but would like to start. Any suggestions and where can I order it from online? I've heard seaweed extract....?

Thanks!
Lisa

[syndywindy]

Can you post pictures? It seems if the roots are good below you are ok. Maybe the roots above the medium are just desiccated or dried out so they look bad to you? A photo would help figure this out. I'm not sure I've seen roots rotted above the medium but then good below, assuming it is the same root.

[Daethen]

I have had roots that look and feel dead that will start sprouting on the end. I usually leave these. I assume that the velamin (sp) is dead along the outside for a ways but that the actual root thread is alive. Correct me if I am wrong.

[Emma Grey]

I think you're right, Jonada. I've had plants with roots that looked dead closer to the plant but that had healthy green growth farther down.

[Mamarazzi]

As the root leaves the plant, it constricts to what I would consider almost dead, but as it fills out again, it gets woody and you can see as it continues back into the pot, it is perfectly healthy. ???

[Shannara]

When it comes to rooting hormones there are several options. I prefer Fertilome Root Stimulator. There is also K-L-N root stimulator which is popular. Supethrive is a vitamin and hormone mix that has been around for decades. I use that once in awhile too.

You can find the Fertilome one on Amazon or other websites.

HTH

Shann~

[Emma Grey]

Mamarazzi, that root does look pretty bad, but if the lower part of that root is green I would leave it.

[Daethen]

I have had roots look brown/black like that on the surface, but be fine below. I think it may be the change in humidity from greenhouse to my house. If it is green in the medium, leave it alone.

[Mamarazzi]

Thanks, All!

[Mamarazzi]

Need some advice, please! It was in the sphag that I bought it in a few months ago and I was afraid to disturb it while flowering but recently read that in "their" opinion it should be okay. I knew my roots were going, so I wasn't surprised but still disappointed. I repotted into the same media that the rest of mine are in, keeping a few strands of sphag around the one root. That was okay? Now my question is this: I really don't want to, but should I cut my spike to save my plant? Or will it be okay without having to do that? As you can see, I'm adding humidity by having it bagged...?

[Emma Grey]

I don't know about the spike but if your plant has one root left it looks over-potted. If I were you, I would put the plant in the smallest container possible. Use a small Tupperware or something similar with lots of holes burned in it for drainage and air flow.

[Mamarazzi]

All that I have for media is Fafard Orchid potting mix. It's pretty loose and chunky. Do i want that for circulation, or should I be using smaller chunks for more root contact? Thanks!

[englandfx]

You probably would want to take it out of that plastic bag.
It needs fresh air and when it's inside that plastic bag....its stagnant air!

[Emma Grey]

The mix you have is probably fine. Just make sure you soak it for a day or so before using it do it will retain water.

[skipper]

I agree with Emma Grey. The mix is OK, but the pot is alittle big. If the mix is wet to long the roots have a better chance to rot. With just one root, the mix in a large pot will stay wet for a long time. If it were my plant I would remove the flowers. They will put a strain on the plant, and you want the plant to get healthy again. If you have a cold, you don't go out and run a mile, you stay in bed. Plants need their rest too. Good luck with the plant.

Dale

[Mamarazzi]

Originally Posted by englandfx

You probably would want to take it out of that plastic bag.
It needs fresh air and when it's inside that plastic bag....its stagnant air!

I've seen a LOT of posts that say to do this to keep the humidity up, but also to keep the bag cracked to let fresh air in to provide circulation- I doubt you could tell by the photo... I wasn't sure under what circumstances the bag technique is appropriate, though...

[Mamarazzi]

Originally Posted by skipper

I agree with Emma Grey. The mix is OK, but the pot is alittle big. If the mix is wet to long the roots have a better chance to rot. With just one root, the mix in a large pot will stay wet for a long time. If it were my plant I would remove the flowers. They will put a strain on the plant, and you want the plant to get healthy again. If you have a cold, you don't go out and run a mile, you stay in bed. Plants need their rest too. Good luck with the plant.

Dale

Thank you to Emma and Skipper.. I will repot and cut my spike.

Is it okay to take it out of the pot to check the roots and then re-pot? How often can I do that? I have a clear pot but won't be able to see the root. I just want to check progress...

[Mamarazzi]

Okay, how's this?

AND, is this a keiki coming from my spike? It's new in the last few days... If it is, I shouldn't cut the spike in hopes of getting a keiki in case the plant dies, or... ? I've only been a mama for a few months! Help!

[11Orchid126]

If you want rooting, buy some liquid seaweed and use it regularly. Seeweed can grow a foot a day.

[Mamarazzi]

Originally Posted by 11Orchid126

If you want rooting, buy some liquid seaweed and use it regularly. Seeweed can grow a foot a day.

I just placed an order from Tindara for Supertrhive and Neptune's Seaweed. Standard ground, so should receive in a week or so...

Should I soak, dunk...? Once a week or at standard waterings? Put the whole pot into the mix or do you re-pot after every treatment? (I don't think so, but just making sure. )

[Emma Grey]

The new pot size looks much better!

As for the superthrive and seaweed extract, just add a couple drops of those when you water regularly.

For my phals, I water whenever there is no condensation on the inside of the pot. Because the plant is potted in mostly bark with few roots, I would mix the water and additives in a pitcher and pour it through the pot when you water rather than soaking the pot by sitting it in water. Does that make sense?

[englandfx]

Too early to tell if that growth is a kieki, but the bag method should only be used if you have barely any leaves left...lets say 1 or 2 leaves and no roots.

[Mamarazzi]

Once a leaf is dehydrated, will it rehydrate and look normal again? Or, it is it that once the cells are damaged they can't? On my One Root phal, the leaves are looking wrinkly and one is folding in half and drooping more and more. It's the second from the bottom leaf and also the bottom leaf are looking sad, but I have another leaf and the top leaf is about 3/4 emerged. I'm expecting my KLN and seaweed extract to arrive this week, too.

Thanks!
Lisa

[Mamarazzi]

Just an update: I've been using KLN, Superthrive, and Seaweed and have roots growing! I haven't lost any more leaves on my one-root, but I don't see any new roots starting, so I think it's just a matter of time before I lose it. Plus, it's not a keiki coming from that one, it's another subspike! I got it when it was done blooming, it put out a subspike and bloomed and now this is its second subspike. I KNOW I should cut it off, but I just can't yet...

Also, I got some potting mix that I like. Just a Phal mix, but much better than the other stuff I had. Not quite as "dark" or rotty looking. Has some of those hydro beads and larger perlite and I think that makes a bit of a difference.

Now I've just been worrying about creepy crawlies. I started a thread on transparent holes in the leaves of a couple of my smaller Phals if anyone has advice. Sigh...

I'm up to 13 Phals and lovin' it!

Lisa

[Mamarazzi]

I take that back! I have a root starting out of the base of the plant! Just a nubbin' but I'll take it!!!!!!!

[rlilia]

Originally Posted by Shannara

When it comes to rooting hormones there are several options. I prefer Fertilome Root Stimulator. There is also K-L-N root stimulator which is popular. Supethrive is a vitamin and hormone mix that has been around for decades. I use that once in awhile too.

You can find the Fertilome one on Amazon or other websites.

HTH

Shann~

How do you apply those?

Thanks!
Lilia

[Shannara]

Originally Posted by Mamarazzi

I take that back! I have a root starting out of the base of the plant! Just a nubbin' but I'll take it!!!!!!!

Congrats on the root growth. I am never sure what excites me more...root growth, new growth, or spikes! Anything that says my babies are happy is a thumbs up in my book.

Originally Posted by rlilia

How do you apply those?

Thanks!
Lilia

I use the Fertilome and Superthrive. The Fertilome is a liquid and has instructions on the bottle for the ratio per gallon of water. I usually only do a couple drop of Superthrive per gallon, but they also have instructions on the bottle with the recommended dosages. I usually do about half of what they say unless the plants I am apply it too need an additional boost.

I have a two gallon pump sprayer that I use now for most of my applications. It is very very handy when you have several hundred plants. If you only have a small collection there are some nice hand pump sprayers on the market as well that I used to use that did the job nicely. I like ones that can provide a nice fine mist or a steady stream if adjusted accordingly.

HTH

Shann~