Help! Is this root rot? - Orchid Board

alopez1021 · #1 04-02-2021, 06:22 PM

Hi guys! I'm new to the orchid world but SO excited I found this forum. I purchased my first orchid a couple months, I believe it's a phalaenopsis. It has been doing very well, but just this week I noticed the roots were starting to turn a different color and it has dark black spots on it now and the tips. I took several pictures to show. I took an overall picture to show where I have it in my house and lighting- It doesn't get direct sunlight. In the close up pictures you can see one of the roots looks like is starting to dry out, and i'm not sure if the small white spots are normal?? The container from the side looks like it still has water and moisture. The roots in the container all look green and plump as well.

**I haven't taken it out of it's original container yet. I give it 1/4 cup of water a week.

Should I take it out, check the roots and repot it in another container? Also do I need to cut any roots off or are the ones on top ok?

Sorry If I'm asking a lot of questions I really want to keep it alive and treat it the best way possible and I'm so new at this, I'm a little worried

I appreciate any suggestions and help!!

________________________________
**UPDATE on the roots (bottom post) ** sorry still learning how to post on this board

Clawhammer · #2 04-02-2021, 06:28 PM

That plant looks pretty happy!

The only change I would suggest is giving it a good soaking each watering.

estación seca · #3 04-03-2021, 04:27 AM

Are there holes in the pot? I can't tell. There should be. Exposed roots suffer in low humidity homes. It's common. I agree when you water, take it to the sink and run water through to soak the pot. Some people put them in a container of water and soak for a few hours.

aliceinwl · #4 04-03-2021, 05:10 AM

I agree it looks pretty happy and my Phalaenopsis often have the upper portions of exposed roots become black or brown spotted with age. Since it’s in a clear pot, a good rule of thiumb is to water when the in pot roots start to look silver rather than green. Then either soak the pot for at least 5 minutes and let the water drain out or run it under the tap.

There’s no rush to repot in your case, but the media is usually pretty old by the time you bring an orchid home. It’s good to repot proactively into fresh media before any problems develop. If the roots will fit back in, you can even reuse the existing pot. Maybe consider repotting once the flowers drop or sometime this summer.

Mountaineer370 · #5 04-03-2021, 09:18 AM

That's definitely a Phalaenopsis that you have there, and it looks pretty happy and healthy to me. In many of my older Phals that have roots visible at the top of the potting medium as shown in your picture, the exposed part of the root will turn more brown with age and develop a somewhat woody texture. I believe it's due in large part to the low humidity in my home (as mentioned by estacion seca). None of the roots that I'm seeing in your pics should be cut.

Ditto to the watering advice given by everyone so far. I'm assuming here that there are holes in the bottom of that pot for proper drainage. If not, that needs to be corrected soon. With holes, the quarter-cup once a week doesn't seem like enough with your loose, chunky medium, and if you either soak it for a while or flush a good amount of water through the pot, you'll give those top roots a chance to take in some moisture.

Also, it's my own habit, when I water, to have a spray bottle handy, and I will give a good spray to any exposed roots that didn't happen to get wet in the watering.

alopez1021 · #6 04-03-2021, 12:23 PM

The pot does have holes at the bottom. Every time I water it I may sure it drains out so it doesn't pool at the bottom of the pot. By reading everyones comments it seems like I just need to run a little more water through during the next watering. Thank you!

---------- Post added at 10:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

That's definitely a Phalaenopsis that you have there, and it looks pretty happy and healthy to me. In many of my older Phals that have roots visible at the top of the potting medium as shown in your picture, the exposed part of the root will turn more brown with age and develop a somewhat woody texture. I believe it's due in large part to the low humidity in my home (as mentioned by estacion seca). None of the roots that I'm seeing in your pics should be cut.

Ditto to the watering advice given by everyone so far. I'm assuming here that there are holes in the bottom of that pot for proper drainage. If not, that needs to be corrected soon. With holes, the quarter-cup once a week doesn't seem like enough with your loose, chunky medium, and if you either soak it for a while or flush a good amount of water through the pot, you'll give those top roots a chance to take in some moisture.

Also, it's my own habit, when I water, to have a spray bottle handy, and I will give a good spray to any exposed roots that didn't happen to get wet in the watering.

I'm definitely going to run more water through it next time, may even try soaking for a few minutes method. I love your suggestion of spraying the exposed roots with a water bottle if I see they need a little extra water. Thank you for your reply!

---------- Post added at 10:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:17 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

I agree it looks pretty happy and my Phalaenopsis often have the upper portions of exposed roots become black or brown spotted with age. Since it’s in a clear pot, a good rule of thiumb is to water when the in pot roots start to look silver rather than green. Then either soak the pot for at least 5 minutes and let the water drain out or run it under the tap.

There’s no rush to repot in your case, but the media is usually pretty old by the time you bring an orchid home. It’s good to repot proactively into fresh media before any problems develop. If the roots will fit back in, you can even reuse the existing pot. Maybe consider repotting once the flowers drop or sometime this summer.

Ok thank you! I'll wait a couple months to repot it. Is there a specific media you recommend using? I've tried looking online and have read reviews of some people using certain kinds that killed their orchid due to insects/mold being found in the potting mix so I want to avoid using the wrong stuff. Should I keep using bark or try something else?

aliceinwl · #7 04-05-2021, 02:26 PM

Personally, I like bark for my Phalaenopsis but that is not the only option. Best media choice depends on growing conditions, your watering habits, etc. In general if growing at room temperatures (70s) a quick drying media like bark works best, if you grow warmer more water retentive media like moss will also work. If you like to water daily something like lava rock would also be an option.

For mine, I mix 5 parts orchiata bark, 1 part perlite, and 1 part charcoal (I have a lot of Phalaenopsis). If you’re looking for a small quantity of high quality pre-mixed substrate, I’ve been really happy with the mixes I’ve purchased from rePotme Orchid Supplies

alopez1021 · #8 04-27-2021, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alopez1021

Hi guys! I'm new to the orchid world but SO excited I found this forum. I purchased my first orchid a couple months, I believe it's a phalaenopsis. It has been doing very well, but just this week I noticed the roots were starting to turn a different color and it has dark black spots on it now and the tips. I took several pictures to show. I took an overall picture to show where I have it in my house and lighting- It doesn't get direct sunlight. In the close up pictures you can see one of the roots looks like is starting to dry out, and i'm not sure if the small white spots are normal?? The container from the side looks like it still has water and moisture. The roots in the container all look green and plump as well.

**I haven't taken it out of it's original container yet. I give it 1/4 cup of water a week.

Should I take it out, check the roots and repot it in another container? Also do I need to cut any roots off or are the ones on top ok?

Sorry If I'm asking a lot of questions I really want to keep it alive and treat it the best way possible and I'm so new at this, I'm a little worried

I appreciate any suggestions and help!!

Hi Guys I posted a few weeks ago asking some questions about my Phal's roots. I changed the way I was watering it and starting doing the soaking method. I've only done this method once since I last posted. I soaked for about 10 minutes and then let the water drain out. I've been noticing that the aerial roots are starting to shrivel up and dry out, not sure if they are dead??

(Shown in updated picture) The clear pot does have holes at the bottom, most of the roots inside look nice and plump, I did noticed there's one root that is turning brown, and it looks a little mushy but I'm not certain since I haven't taken it out yet to repot. As I pressed into the side of the container, it seems a little squishy, might be hard to tell in picture but the root goes from green/plump to brown at the bottom. I also attached another root pic that's inside, that's yellow- seems like its becoming a little hollow and squishy. Should I do anything about these roots?

**Last time I watered it was 4/19. I was going water it again today since it's about time.

estación seca · #9 04-27-2021, 03:53 PM

The exposed roots are drying up because humidity is low. This is common when growing Phals in homes.

The roots in the pot are mostly healthy.

It's not time to water yet. The roots are still green. When they start turning silvery it will be time to water. What are your temperatures day/night? Humidity?

alopez1021 · #10 04-27-2021, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

The exposed roots are drying up because humidity is low. This is common when growing Phals in homes.

The roots in the pot are mostly healthy.

It's not time to water yet. The roots are still green. When they start turning silvery it will be time to water. What are your temperatures day/night? Humidity?

Okay, so the roots that are discolored and slightly mushy won't be an issue for the orchid? I wasn't for sure if I should water or not yet, but I remember that being mentioned last time! I'll wait until they turn silvery. We keep our house around 70-72 degrees all day, inside humidity about 64% according to our temperature control system.

Outside temp is about mid 80's in the day and at night about 70 at the moment with humidity of 70% or higher