dead roots

[phoenix13]

Hi everyone! I'm new to both orchids and S/H so I've got quite the learning curve to tackle! Nothing like jumping into the deep end with both feet, eh?


I know that some roots are going to die off when I switch over to s/h. My question is what to do with them. Do I keep unpotting the plant every so often to check for dead roots and then repot again after I cut them off? I don't want to shock the plant anymore than I've already done during the initial repot, but I'm not sure how to handle the bad roots.

I have recently put a sad, non thriving phal (but one wiht very healthy roots) into s/h and I'm watching like a hawk for signs of trouble.

Thanks for any insight you all can provide.

Steph

[PocoGigio]

Steph,
My 2 cents: I am very nosy and always want to know what's going on in the pot. I have your same concerns. So... what I have been doing is decanting every one I have transferred to s/h after some time for a looksee - average about 3 months more or less. That's about when the old roots seem to have finished their rotting and the lovely new s/h roots are thriving. I cut the rotted roots off, Physan 20 what's left and put it back in with the same LECA (also physan'd). After the initial hacking and disturbing to get them into LECA, doing it again seems to be painless to the plant and a lot easier and cleaner to me! A shot of Superthrive wouldn't hurt also since the plant is gently being disturbed.
Seems to work for me (PS-I've done over 300 of these!)
Good luck
Paula

[phoenix13]

thank you Paula--I will follow your advice and keep my fingers crossed!!

[chromebright]

Phalanopsis repotted in s/h with Higromite approx 5 months ago........kept on warming mat. Note new green roots and next to them (on the left of the photo) dead, broken old (original) roots.

The red reflection on the transparent plastic pot is from my LED growlight.