drooping flowers

[Ray]

Originally Posted by RosieC

It always suprises me how many orchids are sold in pots which are just not suitible for them.

It depends on what's "suitable" for the grower.

Very few can reasonably argue - for example - that H&R doesn't grow some spectacular plants. For my conditions however, their medium and potting is improper. It was suitable for them, but not for me, so I fix it.

[RosieC]

You should cut away the black/mushy ones.

Be careful to not damage any that are green/white/yellow and firm.

You should NOT use cinnomon on the wounds of roots as it seems to desicate them. I think you can use Listerine but maybe someone else can confirm that.
(I used cinnomon last time I had to do this and only found out afterwards that it was the wrong thing to do )

Once you have removed the mushy roots see how many goods ones are left. If you have a reasonable number then pot it back up in bark in a pot with plenty of drainage.

If there is almost nothing left of the roots you may need to use something like sphag-n-bag to try and save it.

[cb977]

I don't use cinnamon on the cut roots...only when there is a wound on a leaf, can or pbulb.

I do always give the entire chid including the root mass a good spritz of Listerine when repotting.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Ray

It depends on what's "suitable" for the grower.

Very few can reasonably argue - for example - that H&R doesn't grow some spectacular plants. For my conditions however, their medium and potting is improper. It was suitable for them, but not for me, so I fix it.

True,

But I think what gets me are the number sold in pots with NO holes... and I mean none in the bottom or anywhere.

I have seen other pictures on OB of Phals which have been bought in ceramic pots with no holes in whatsoever. I don't know how it is possible to water the correct ammound with these, you either water too much are not enough in an attempt to not overwater.

These are often bought by novices/beginners... no wonder they think orchids are too difficult when it dies soon afterwards

My mum was given a tiny Phal in pot which was more a pretty ornament than a pot... great, except even my Mum who has a couple of other healthy orchids was struggling to water this one the correct ammount. She used to gently lift out the roots and medium (which luckily held together) and water it, leave it to drain for severl house then put it back.

You are right... the choice of medium and the choice of pot is a personal choice, depending on where you are in the world and your watering habits... but unless someone tells me otherwise, potting directly into a pot with NO holes is just a recipie for a dead orchid. (And the same is true of most plants I know).