Root loss in bare rooted orchid - Orchid Board

Idril · #1 08-23-2019, 10:17 AM

I rescued this phal a month ago and overall I think it's doing well. I took it out of the moss and now it barerooted. I water it 1-2 a day. It's new leaf is growing an inch a week and I see something I believe is the beginning of a new root. However one of the roots is dying from the base and I don't understand why? I thought if it's not in the medium there is no reason for it to rot?

fishmom · #2 08-23-2019, 01:09 PM

It looks like you have some nice, healthy roots there, and some that are showing past damage. Not every root loss is due to rot. Roots which have dried out too much do not usually turn green again, even if they have a green patch at the end. Continue what you are doing; it is working just fine.

Idril · #3 08-23-2019, 01:12 PM

Thank you, it's reassuring. It went through a lot of abuse with the previous owner, it was in tight moss, a lot of roots rotted, and then they just let the pot dry out really badly. The other one that was in the same pot has lost all its roots, its is in FWC to try to regrow the roots not much is happening yet.

Mountaineer370 · #4 08-23-2019, 03:37 PM

I agree with fishmom, your plant looks to be doing fine with your rehab program. The plant does show the effects of dehydration in its lower leaves, and the roots it had at that time are bound to have been affected, so they may never recover but rather will eventually die off. The newest leaf and several of the new roots look good!

Idril · #5 08-23-2019, 05:39 PM

Is it true that it can take a year for them to recover and it will probably skip flowering next year?

Roberta · #6 08-23-2019, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idril

Is it true that it can take a year for them to recover and it will probably skip flowering next year?

Orchids can skip a year of blooming for good reasons, or for no apparent reason. If a plant is healthy, and is getting the light, temperature, and water that it wants, it'll bloom eventually. Orchids teach patience.

(I think my record for a non-blooming plant that eventually put on a very nice show was about 12 years... obviously one that didn't take up much room while it was just slowly growing and being ignored)