phalaenopsis tetraspis with no roots - Orchid Board

Mistlebee15 · #1 08-20-2019, 10:54 AM

Hello

Can anyone give me some advice on my seedling which I given by a friend who bought it online for me ?

I think there is only one green root alive on the plant, and the rest look dead to me.

Is there any hope for this little plant ? I was going to cut off the dead roots and leave the one green one, and pot it up.

Is this the best way to go forward ?

thank you

Mountaineer370 · #2 08-20-2019, 11:01 AM

Well, it definitely has multiple roots. I can't tell from the photo, but unless they are mushy, they are most likely viable. If pinching them lightly between your fingers causes them to disintegrate, then, yes, they are dead. Phalaenopsis roots are not always green, especially the ones that are usually covered by the medium, so I would not rely on color alone to determine that a root is dead. Several of them look quite firm, but, again, it's hard to tell from the photo.

Roberta · #3 08-20-2019, 11:19 AM

I would be inclined to leave all but the one really bad one. First, a less-than-ideal root can still hydrate the plant. Second, when repotting it is vital that the plant not wobble, so that new roots have a chance to grow and establish in the medium, and you need those roots to stabilize the plant in the new medium.

Mistlebee15 · #4 08-20-2019, 12:21 PM

Thank you both, I will pot up later in some fine bark as suggested.

When I first got it I soaked in in some water for 5 minutes and only one of the roots turned green, so came to the conclusion that the rest were dead. I have just starting collecting other species, and was working on the same theory as I would do with my moth orchids. ?

Should I water and feed the same as I would normally until the plant becomes established?

Roberta · #5 08-20-2019, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistlebee15

Should I water and feed the same as I would normally until the plant becomes established?

Yes, treat normally. Do let it get almost (but not completely) dry before watering again, since what it really wants is moist air (which damp but not soggy bark will provide)

Phal roots that have not been near the light may not turn silvery. And they may also be less good than the one that did, but they're still OK. It's a baby...

Swimmingorchids · #6 08-20-2019, 01:21 PM

1 root is plenty and I would cut the others off. I was leaving semi alive roots on the plant but they would die off eventually anyway and removing them means the plant can focus on producing a healthier one instead.

Edit: for phalaenopsis orchids if it does not turn green then it has been damaged somewhere and is dead even if it takes 3 months to then turn brown - it is and will have been dead 3 months earlier already and if it does not turn green it never will again.

If a root is dead its dead and on any other forum they would say snip it off, don't wait for it to turn mushy to confirm the prognosis but no harm being sure I guess (which is what I was doing to start with anyway)

Roberta · #7 08-20-2019, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimmingorchids

1 root is plenty and I would cut the others off. I was leaving semi alive roots on the plant but they would die off eventually anyway and removing them means the plant can focus on producing a healthier one instead.

Edit: for phalaenopsis orchids if it does not turn green then it has been damaged somewhere and is dead even if it takes 3 months to then turn brown - it is and will have been dead 3 months earlier already and if it does not turn green it never will again.

If a root is dead its dead and on any other forum they would say snip it off, don't wait for it to turn mushy to confirm the prognosis but no harm being sure I guess (which is what I was doing to start with anyway)

BALONEY! This is a seedling! Have you ever deflasked a seedling? It needs all the roots that are even marginally functional. The stability issue when repotting is also critical - if it wobbles, the new root tips get damaged. Swimingorchids, wait until you have a few years of orchid growing EXPERIENCE under your belt before you give advice. The less-than-great roots will eventually die, but in the meantime are still capable of hydrating this little plant as well as stabilizing it while it grows more, and better roots.

fishmom · #8 08-20-2019, 02:29 PM

Mistlebee, please don't cut the roots on that plant. Even if the outside velamin is damaged, the root core inside can still take up water to hydrate the plant, as Roberta says. The stability issue is also crucial. Maintain all the roots that are firm, regardless of color. Your plant will thank you.!

jcec1 · #9 08-20-2019, 03:12 PM

I would avoid fine bark, I would put it in a 7cm pot with coarse bark,it may require more frequent watering than usual, but the roots will be more healthy.

Roberta · #10 08-20-2019, 03:17 PM

I have also had considerable success with sphagnum, loosely packed, in baskets, especially wood ones. The loose sphag dries out rather quickly (the "loose" part is important, just firm enough to keep the plant stable) in that open basket. Species Phals seem to especially love the wood baskets - think of them as a three-dimensional mount. Basket should be 4 inches (10 cm) (The size is the outside dimension so the inside dimension is smaller) The small size means that the amount of sphag - or any other medium - is small, so that it does dry out fast and air gets to the roots.
The choice of medium and container, of course, depend on your availability to water, and your general conditions. It's the objective that is important - moist air around the roots with a wet-dry-ish cycle.