Mold on phalaenopsis roots

[Shani962]

Hello.

I bought a big white flowered phalaenopsis in Ikea in march. The newest roots were rarely wet but become black where they were touching the stem or growing out of it. I tried with hydrogen peroxide 3% to help but eather it helped and stopped the mold, but then the root dried and I cut it off or it didn't help and the black mold went more in the stem. Fearing crown/stem root I scratched the black mold from inside of the stem and then I used the peroxide again. Because I broke some vessels 2 leaves dried of-not the oldest. The oldest two were OK and had no vessels-I think-broken. But last week the younger of the 2 eldest leaves dried and fell off and now the oldest is yellowing too.

I am scared if this is mold still or just a response to my intrusive actions? I am new to orchids-phalaenopsis. I had a few of them for 2 year but I didn't really dedicate my time and love to them, but in the last 6 months I started to rally get into this. I find it, it calms me down and I like seeing them grow and bloom.

PS: Last week I got a new phalaenopsis actually it is vandaenopsis irene dobkin elmhurst hcc / aos. When I ordered it I didn't know or expect to be so little (seedling). I thought it will be BS or NBS. But I can wait. I am just worried by her looks. One leaf has 3 sections when usually leaves have only two-picture. Also the grow alternately one left one right. But here are two on the same side. Is it a keiki maybe? One older leaf has a bit brown colour is it OK for a cause for concern?

Thank you for helping me .

With best regards Shani

[SouthPark]

From observations and experiences relating to hydrogen peroxide on roots of orchids ------ I genuinely recommend not to use hydrogen peroxide on orchid roots. It can either stop the roots and orchid from growing for a while ----- or could even destroy the roots ----- or roots hairs, and maybe even destroy 'good' organisms in the roots that might be important to the health of the roots.

For the phal ----- provide a warm environment for it during the day ---- eg 24 degree C or more. Also, if possible - have some nice gentle air-flow around the orchid. And use a media that allows you to control the amount of water in the media ---- so that the media doesn't remain soggy or sopping wet for relatively long amounts of time. And use media and a pot that allows for good drainage.

You know how if we don't air-out the bathroom after a hot shower ------ then mold etc can grow on the walls and on other surfaces? That is - after a shower, open windows, and doors, and the airing dries things fast enough to avoid fungal growth.

So - if you have a airy media, and a pot that has good drainage holes, and gentle air-flow in the growing area ------- then the air-flow can cut down on mold/fungal issues.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

The way to grow plants is to give them what they need. South Park already mentioned Phals prefer warm temperatures. They grow very well at temperatures in the mid to upper 30s, but most people don't keep their homes that aarm. They also need air at the roots. They prefer high humidity, but healthy commercial hybrids tolerate lower humidity.

I echo not to use hydrogen peroxide on roots. I also recommend people not cut off roots. It's difficult to tell what is alive or dead.

I recommend you read a few pages into a good sticky thread here about learning to grow Phals. From the left yellow menu pick Forums then Beginners. Near the top is the thread, The Phal abuse stops here.

[Shani962]

Originally Posted by Shani962

Hello.

I bought a big white flowered phalaenopsis in Ikea in march. The newest roots were rarely wet but become black where they were touching the stem or growing out of it. I tried with hydrogen peroxide 3% to help but eather it helped and stopped the mold, but then the root dried and I cut it off or it didn't help and the black mold went more in the stem. Fearing crown/stem root I scratched the black mold from inside of the stem and then I used the peroxide again. Because I broke some vessels 2 leaves dried of-not the oldest. The oldest two were OK and had no vessels-I think-broken. But last week the younger of the 2 eldest leaves dried and fell off and now the oldest is yellowing too.

I am scared if this is mold still or just a response to my intrusive actions? I am new to orchids-phalaenopsis. I had a few of them for 2 year but I didn't really dedicate my time and love to them, but in the last 6 months I started to rally get into this. I find it, it calms me down and I like seeing them grow and bloom.

PS: Last week I got a new phalaenopsis actually it is vandaenopsis irene dobkin elmhurst hcc / aos. When I ordered it I didn't know or expect to be so little (seedling). I thought it will be BS or NBS. But I can wait. I am just worried by her looks. One leaf has 3 sections when usually leaves have only two-picture. Also the grow alternately one left one right. But here are two on the same side. Is it a keiki maybe? One older leaf has a bit brown colour is it OK for a cause for concern?

Thank you for helping me .

With best regards Shani

Thank you for replying to me.
SouthPark I have suitable temperatures for the phals. In the winter and spring I have heated rooms and they are near the window. Now its summer and here in the shade-not direct sun- it's under 30°C but still warm and a little windy. The pot is clear and has drainage holes and has airy medium-bark. The roots on the picture are not burn from hydrogen peroxide 3% but from fertilizer. And when I used hydrogen peroxide it didn't damaged and roots that I saw.

Estación seca the temperatures are suitable for phals. I only cut off the root because it was all shriveled and hard and thin-dried off root. If I wouldn't be sure I wouldn't cut it off. And when I looked at the cut it was no green tissue like in alive roots. Thank you for referring me to the thread.

But you still didn't answer if ithe phal and the stem looks OK or mold could still be present?

[Clawhammer]

I don't think you ever had mold. I have not heard of black mold on a phal. I think it was just typical tannin staining you see on roots that are partially exposed to air when wet. I think what you are seeing is the result of your use of H2O2

[Ray]

Mold does not grow on healthy tissue - dead or weakened, sure.

Those roots look to be in pretty bad shape - whether that be from the hydrogen peroxide treatment, some other ailment, or simply from repotting (read this) - I cannot say for sure, but the key to getting the plant to survive is encouraging new roots.

I don't know your growing conditions, but that potting mix looks awfully compact to me (but pictures can be deceiving). I'd "coarsen" it up a bit to allow more air flow to the roots.

[estación seca]

I agree with Clawhammer. Living orchid roots turn from green when new to brown when older. They can still be alive and functioning when brown. Bark has tannin chemicals which may stain roots.

Your temperatures are good. Warm and windy promotes root drying and tip death. It looks to me as though your plant has tried to grow new roots but the low humidity damages the root tips quickly. Is there any way you can give the plant more humidity with somewhat less air movement?

It is rare to suggest giving orchids less air movement, but that is because most people grow them inside.

[Shani962]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I agree with Clawhammer. Living orchid roots turn from green when new to brown when older. They can still be alive and functioning when brown. Bark has tannin chemicals which may stain roots.

Your temperatures are good. Warm and windy promotes root drying and tip death. It looks to me as though your plant has tried to grow new roots but the low humidity damages the root tips quickly. Is there any way you can give the plant more humidity with somewhat less air movement?

It is rare to suggest giving orchids less air movement, but that is because most people grow them inside.

The roots in the picture are brown from the bark and coconut husk which can stain the root but they are still alive and functioning.

Here outside is not very windy just breeze. And I dont think that the wind promotes root drying and tip death, because I have a lot of new roots growing on other phals. The phal in question has one root also coming out now-seen in the picture 2. To give the plant more humidity with less air movement I can only provide if I put her back in the house?

[estación seca]

If your other Phals are growing well there, this one should, too. It will need to grow more roots before it does much else.