please comment - Orchid Board

iceicebaby · #1 12-20-2008, 01:13 PM

Hi I bought four orchids about four months back.
they came wrapped in coconut choir as the first picture shows.

After a few months I noticed that the plants were looking a bit shrivelled.
So when I parted the choir I saw some dead roots in the center.

So I removed the outer part of the choir to allow more areation and for the water to reach when I water it.

I also potted one of them in charcoal after partially removing the choir.
Do u think it was the right thing to do?
PLease advise.

D&S Mabel · #2 12-20-2008, 08:50 PM

No expert here but it appears to me from your middle photo that the roots were actually staying too wet for too long rather then not getting enough water. The charcoal will promote drainage and dry out faster as well as allowing better airflow.

With that in mind, yes, I think you did the right thing. You might also want to think about potting or remounting the plant in the middle picture as you are getting some nice root growth but they aren't going to have anything to grow into.

Good luck!

Myst · #3 12-21-2008, 04:51 PM

wow ice...that first pic is so beautiful. You're so lucky that is a beautiful spot.

im sorry i have no advice at all...in fact, at this rate it could be years before i ever have any advice to give here.
but i can tell you what is gorgeous and that is the first picture!

cowboy51278 · #4 12-21-2008, 09:35 PM

It looks like you have some new root growing coming so I think your heading in the right direction.

If it were me I probably would have removed all the coconut, trimmed back the dead roots, given it a good soak in physan 20 and repoted in good mix. Not that the charcoal isn't good. I just prefer a mix of chc, bark, charcoal, perlite and some tree fern.....with some lava rock tossed in for good measure. Just my 2 cents.

nhman · #5 12-21-2008, 10:19 PM

I would agree with removing the old media and treating as above. I haven't know a lot of people that use 100% charcoal for their media, but rather most use a combination of bark, lava rock and a just add little charcoal to keep the media "sweet" and remove any impurites from the water used. I don't know if charcoal would "bind" up things such as fertilizers and therefore result in concentration of fertilizers used that might be disadvantagous to your plant in the long run. Thus, planting into a wooden basket with the combination mix or mounting the plant would be reasonable alternatives in my opinion. Plus, with mounting the plant, it is hard to over water it!! Again, just by 0.02 cents.

RosieC · #6 12-24-2008, 01:05 PM

The middle picture shows some good NEW root growth... only small just now but a lot of them

I would agree with what others have said. I would say remove ALL the coir and then pot up in something which lets it breath more. Personally I favour almost pure bark but I know others favour mixtures with charcole, perlite moss etc. The best mix can depend on your climate and your watering habits.

Before potting up you may want to remove all rotten roots, but be careful to keep all those which are firm.

D&S Mabel · #7 12-24-2008, 02:59 PM

Interesting how location really does effect potting mix. It's wet and humid (90%+) for 6 months and dry and less humid (around 50%) here. Two local commerical orchid growers have recommended about a 30% bark / 30% charcoal / 40% rock mix for cats and dens and, so far, it seems to be working well for me.

Ross · #8 12-24-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D&S Mabel

Interesting how location really does effect potting mix. It's wet and humid (90%+) for 6 months and dry and less humid (around 50%) here. Two local commerical orchid growers have recommended about a 30% bark / 30% charcoal / 40% rock mix for cats and dens and, so far, it seems to be working well for me.

Very observant! I have been asking newcomers to post their location (even generally) so we can respond with some intelligence. Lot's of difference even here in US and Canada. Even more when we go world wide. Lighting is different, watering is different, culture is different, tastes are different, etc.

peeweelovesbooks · #9 12-24-2008, 03:35 PM

I've been using 100% lava rock for catts with success. Everyone's growing new roots and leaves. Hmmmmmm...I also live in South Florida where it's humid.....and I tend to be an overly generous waterer.

I would second those who say to remove as much as the coir as possible and repot.

nhman · #10 12-24-2008, 03:37 PM

From the palm trees seen out of the window in one of the pictures, I would imagine Ice lives in a more tropical clime than either Ross or I do!
I certainly would agree with the recommendation of putting even a general location to your registration info. Not only is it helpful in answering some questions as Ross states, but it's also down right FUN to see where everyone on this board is from.