rotting tip

[MT-Phal]

the tip of one of my healthy roots had an issue with mold and is now turning black. should i cut it off? or will it not spread and affect the entire root?

[orchidsamore]

you can always trim roots on a healthy plant without hurting the plant so why take a chance. cut it off.

[MT-Phal]

Thanks, Orchidsamore. My worry is that this root is actually, or was, the only healthy root left after my move into S/H, and the new roots are growing very very slowly.

[camille1585]

That an old root is dying once its placed in S/H is completely normal. It will rot and die at one point or another since its structure was not tailored to grow in such a wet environment. Until the new roots are big enough to support the plant, you need to keep it in a warm and somewhat humid spot so that the plant doesn't evaporate too much moisture.

[MT-Phal]

Having been in S/H for months now, I'm well aware of what happens to the old roots and my progress is documented in the s/h forum. The root I am referring to, was the only new growth happening when I made the switch. I was hoping it would adapt, as I said it was new, though it appears something went south.

So I guess my question is, once a root begins to rot... is it unstoppable? I do not want to remove the entire root... so should I cut the rotted part?

[stefpix]

i found that some roots would dry when touching the hydroton. I had somehow a 50% success rate. I think if the clay is dry the root does not like it at all.
I switched most of those to coconut chips and I find it a way better solution. faster / nicer root growth.

[MT-Phal]

i'm actually coming from coconut chips. I'm thinking I might have to go back sometime soon...

[stefpix]

hard to keep the top of the LECA moist. followed tutorials i found here but half of the plants if not more did not like it.

Coco chips stay moist longer than leca but also they dry faster than bark. I just checked and some roots are actually growing into the coco chips. you could try to fill the reservoir with LECA and then do a layer of coco chips. you could try SH that way.
My himidity in the summer was 50 / 70 % now is about 20 %. anyway my small Cattleya guttata started growing new roots since i put it in coco chips.

[ohanahana]

stefpix--straight coco chips or is it mixed with something else?

[stefpix]

i use straight coco chips.
depending I could add some perlite or lava rock.

I use one layer of leca at the bottom of the pot to improve drainage.