Advice on my Sophronitus Cernua - mass of dead roots

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Narnia

What a great suggestion. I'm heading to the pet store tonight to pick up some fish food, so I'll see if maybe they have some there. It's waaay to hot to go out searching.

I keep hearing people talking about "pasting on root hormone." Is there a way to do this with KLN? Usually I just soak the "roots" or lack thereof in a solution of one tablespoon per gallon. Then again, this is my first plant with no roots to speak of. Is this the same thing?

Never heard of "pasting", but I caution you to not apply the (if a little is good then a lot is better) philosophy with KLN. A lot is not good. In fact I would stick with daily soakings in water with 2 drops KLN per gallon and just enough fertilizer to create a mix 125ppm Nitrogen (see Ray's fertilizer calculator for instructions Fertilizer PPM Calculator). If new roots are to emerge, this will do it. If you can keep the plant humid while this occurs, that will be best.

[oldorchidguy]

I agree with everyone. I would use some tiny scissors and cut all the dead roots back to the growth, tie it to a piece of cork, and when new root growth starts, jump on it.

[nikv]

I grow mine mounted. It gets watered every day and then is allowed to dry out. I've had it for several years. It blooms occasionally. Good luck with yours.