when i pulled all the orchid out, NOT ONE ROOT WAS ALIVE. all dead. all there was left were were strands of death.
what happens is when they start out in the coconut slab, everything is fine. but eventually, the top layer of the coconut degenerates, while the insides stay firm, but turn spongy and acidic, strangling the roots, and killing them. only the top parts stay alive, slowly starving the orchid.
hence i believe no one should use coconut slabs, but instead use coconut chips.