Need help with root problem

[kjp8128]

I have been through the same thing with my orchids I have had in the past. Currently I have 11 orchids and some are suffering from root rot. Could you please share more detail about how you managed to control the orchid with root rot. I would love to try it. Also a picture would help greatly. Please spread your success! I am will in to buy or do what it takes. I basically have two of the 11 orchids with little roots left and some decent looking leaves and would like to save them as well as use the aquarium method you talked about to help my other orchids strive. Thank you!

[beanluc]

Here are a few threads which talk about this -

what to do with the rotted ones now (stop the rot progression)

and what to do in the future to avoid a repeat (adopt better watering habits):

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...y-brassia.html
testing for moisture/dryness
Newbie trying to save Phal ...
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ing-glory.html

[kjp8128]

Thank you very much one link led me to a person who has the same problem as me. She even posted pictures that show the same problem. Thank you my orchid may live after all. I will let you know.

[Ray]

Your problems will go away once you understand the basics of Air Management

[Swamper]

Originally Posted by Ray

Your problems will go away once you understand the basics of Air Management

Simple but great.

[kjp8128]

Thank you very much for the Air management information article. The reading helped me better understand how the root system of orchids works in relation to air and who this can help one choose medium that will work with their individual watering habits. This encourage me to think about how much I water and if I choose the correct medium and pot for air to reach the roots.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Ray

Your problems will go away once you understand the basics of Air Management

Great link Ray

[Ray]

As beginners, we all focus on watering - and the problems we have in doing so properly - but nobody ever switches the focus to air, which is actually more important.

It's sort-of an iterative process, but if you start by figuring out how to keep the root system airy, then you have to figure out how to get the plant sufficient water. If what you've done requires too much labor, you then have to make the root zone retain more water without sacrificing airiness.

Particle packing also plays a role (I have a piece about that on my Free Info page, too). I don't know about the rest of you, but I learned that adding small perlite particles was supposed to make the mix more open. In reality, mixing particle sizes actually reduces that.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Ray

As beginners, we all focus on watering - and the problems we have in doing so properly - but nobody ever switches the focus to air, which is actually more important.

It's sort-of an iterative process, but if you start by figuring out how to keep the root system airy, then you have to figure out how to get the plant sufficient water. If what you've done requires too much labor, you then have to make the root zone retain more water without sacrificing airiness.

Particle packing also plays a role (I have a piece about that on my Free Info page, too). I don't know about the rest of you, but I learned that adding small perlite particles was supposed to make the mix more open. In reality, mixing particle sizes actually reduces that.

I had started to realise by reading your posts here over the last few months, that the key to not overwatering was nothing to do with water, but all to do with air flow. Your link helps me get a better understanding of that.

I agree with you about the perlite. I'm using it at the momment but have begun to feel unhappy about the air spaces those small grains are filling. Glad I'm not the only one.

[Orchid126]

Thanks Ray. Your idea about Air Management answers a lot of questions and makes a lot of sense.