Phal salt burns and weird looking keiki leaves

[NadiaR]

Hello, I have a few questions about my orchid, I hope this is right category for them.

First thing is, it has salt burns on roots. When I got this orchid about 3 years ago, I was watering it (and sometimes spraying roots) with water straight from the tap. And that’s probably why roots look like this. One of salt burned roots is brittle and seems rather dead, but rest is still firm and lower parts of them look healthy. So just to make sure, is it safe to leave them?

I’m also worried about this orchid’s keiki. One of the leaves has jagged edges, and I have no idea what caused them. Keiki’s leaves also have some weird raised spots on them. I tried searching what they could be, and the only thing I found is edema scars. There were times I forgot about watering and I know it’s caused by underwatering or overwatering. Am I right, or is it something else?

[Roberta]

I don't see anything to worry about, but you might have some little creatures doing some nibbling. I'm thinking little tiny bush snails. The dark roots probably just from light exposure. You said that you got the plant 3 years ago. Have you repotted it? If not, that would be the first thing to consider. It needs to be potted a little lower in the pot (to the base of the plant, so the new root can reach the meadium). Old medium can harbor those little nasties as well as holding too much water(which can rot roots), and accumulated salts.

[DeaC]

Maybe a fertilizer issue.

[NadiaR]

Thank you, I'm glad it's nothing serious. I didn't repot it yet, but it surely needs it at this point. I don't think it could be snails, but I'll see if I find anything. What do I do if I can't pot it lower because of keiki? Currently it's only slightly above the bark

---------- Post added at 07:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:41 PM ----------

It might be fertilizer burn too. I've been using some sort of mist fertilizer for aerial roots some time ago, and it's possible it made these roots look worse

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by NadiaR

Thank you, I'm glad it's nothing serious. I didn't repot it yet, but it surely needs it at this point. I don't think it could be snails, but I'll see if I find anything. What do I do if I can't pot it lower because of keiki? Currently it's only slightly above the bark

Possibly, you can tip the plant a bit so that the mother plant is a little lower than the basal growth. Placing Phals perfectly vertical may be aesthetic, but it is unnatural... and if tipped, you also reduce the chances of getting water stuck in the crown. (Mother Nature is rather clever... in nature, Phals grow sideways or upside down, and so they drain) Bush snails are very tiny - like 2-3 mm, and hide in the medium. Snail baits are of no use... several Board members have suggested coffee (search for "coffee") But I'd suggest repotting first. Rinse the roots well under running water, which will also help remove stuff.

[Dimples]

I often struggle to position my phals in pots in a way that covers the new roots because the roots are coming out up high above the lower 1-3 sets of leaves, often on both sides of the plant, so tipping the plant’s orientation only helps somewhat. Do the best you can and the rest will work itself out.

[NadiaR]

Then I will probably keep it tipped about as much as it is now. It's not visible on photos, but it's leaning on side opposite of keiki.

[tmoney]

Originally Posted by NadiaR

Thank you, I'm glad it's nothing serious. I didn't repot it yet, but it surely needs it at this point. I don't think it could be snails, but I'll see if I find anything. What do I do if I can't pot it lower because of keiki? Currently it's only slightly above the bark

---------- Post added at 07:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:41 PM ----------

It might be fertilizer burn too. I've been using some sort of mist fertilizer for aerial roots some time ago, and it's possible it made these roots look worse

ouch! yeah, definitely repot. i would guess that when you do the plant starts to looks nice and healthy again (tho past damage is permanent). imagine not cleaning your bedroom for 3 years!