Potinara Red Crab, Root question - Orchid Board

Helen · #1 03-19-2007, 03:09 PM

Hi, I am a first time orchid owner. March 11th I purchased a Potinara Red Crab at a botanical gardens orchid show. It had two buds ready to open, one with a slight black mark on it. The seller told me it was a root plant that he rec'd from Florida and just potted it. After two days at home the buds starting getting blacker and blacker and shriving. My friend suggested re-potting it and to look at the roots.

The roots were all dark and mostly flattened out and thin. I since read that roots should be white...There are one or two white ones near the top of the plant but they are not too firm to the touch and the tips are dark

Can someone please help me? I'd like to know if my plant is dying? or is there something I can do? I repotted with mix of bark, charcoal and some sphagnum moss...I don't know how much to water it, etc.

THank you to anyone who can help me. Hopefully I am worried for nothing!
FirstTimer

cb977 · #2 03-19-2007, 07:37 PM

Hi and welcome to ORchidBoard (have you posted in our Introductions area? Our members would love to say hi

)

I say cut away (if you haven't already) all the dark mushy roots, leave only those that look like they have "some" life" in them, then repot (which I know you've already done). Don't overwater this plant...baby steps

Helen · #3 03-19-2007, 08:54 PM

Thanks Susanne...I have not yet cut any roots. I'm going to try this right now. I assume once I repot and if I find the medium to be dry, then I should give it a good soaking? then let dry out for 5 - 7 days??
THanks again, your help is very much appreciated. (I'm in Canada and it's hard to find a warm sunny window in my home, but I can spray often and place on a bed of wet pebbles....)
FirstTimer

Helen · #4 03-30-2007, 08:40 PM

I was busy and didn't get a chance to let you know that when I went to cut the old dark roots, and cleared away some of the top bark, I noticed some nice firm white roots, about 4 or so of them, so I decided not to disturb them....Can someone advise whether or not this was the right decision?

cb977 · #5 03-30-2007, 08:48 PM

It's best to carefully cut away the old rotted roots... the new ones will thank you for it

Helen · #6 03-30-2007, 09:00 PM

Thanks. Also, I was wondering if I can use tap water for all my new orchids. Or,let the tap water sit for 24 hours first? I heard this releases any chlorine in the water? Or should I use Brita filtered water? Please advise. Any advice would be appreciated.
FirstTimer

justatypn · #7 03-31-2007, 12:22 AM

If you can get Superthrive or any other type of hormone stimulant and soak the new medium in it for 20 minutes this can be done while you are cutting back the dead roots and preping your chid for its clean home. After you have repotted the plant I would give it a heavy watering at first than let it set for a 7-10 days without watering. Make sure before watering again that the medium is dry upper 1/2 of pot. Keep your normal watering regimen thereafter. Make sure your newly repotted orchid is in low to medium light for approximately 3 weeks. I have used this regimen with all my repotting and works well for me. Let us know how it went.

Aboard, please stop by like Sue mentioned the "introductions" and let us know a little bit about yourself and your orchid addiction and types you grow. Good luck....