Another Phal rescue - what do you think of these roots?

[redperphexion]

Fingers crossed guys...

I went in to find another orchid that might curb my frustration with growing them. I was sadly disappointed.

This one had a clearish pot with good drainage inside another dark pot, so I was able to see bright green roots with pale healthy-looking tips through it. I thought I was in luck.

I wanted her our of moss and into bark chips, and when I pulled her out, things didn't look good. Mind you, this one looks better than my first two, so I have some hope, but I'm not holding my breath.

I'm particularly worried about the roots that look healthy at the ends, but have bends or breaks further up the root that are darker green to brownish in colour. Will these roots come back, or should I just lop them off above the break in hopes they'll bud out a new shoot?

Should I remove the outermost leaf? It looks like the spike has pushed a hole through it, as has another root, and I'm worried now that moisture / fungus can chill out in there. Should I leave it or take it off?

Any ideas on how to proceed?

(Other than buying my first orchids from a reputable source so I don't get discouraged )

P.S. The reason she's water-spotted is we got caught in the rain walking home today and I haven't had a chance to rinse her off. I wonder if this is insecticide residue or something washing off from the commercial grower? Also realized that first root picture makes the root base look much darker than it really is. Thanks in advance for all your help!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The plant is very much salvageable. In fact in all the pics of the roots, if you look very closely, you'll see that a few of the older roots are starting to push out new buds where new roots will form.

I'd leave the roots the way they are. They look clean enough already.

Do not remove any leaves until they're ready to fall off. And when they're ready to fall off, they'll be able to do it on their own.

I take it you want to pot them. But I will also throw in the possibility of either mounting them or growing in S&H. Do know if you choose to grow using S&H, you've got to go to the S&H forum to get advice (I know very little about this technique).

I highly recommend you tilt the plant at an angle where the leaves can hang over the edge of the pot and the leaf tips are pointing towards the floor. This will prevent water from getting trapped in the crown and prevent crown rot.

Potting them means they can dry out for a day between watering. Most people will advise you to not allow them to dry out. While in nature they don't really dry out, I advise caution when growing them potted in cultivation that you don't drown them with too frequent of a watering schedule. If you're afraid, just pick a week or two of not allowing them to dry out between waterings and see how things are going.

[mayres]

I would agree with the previous poster - leave just as you show it here and pot up in the media of your choice - no reason this plant shouldn't do well......