First orchids, rescued, unpacked and repotted

[kaitala]

So after reading on this board, I unpacked the Phal, and it was packed in moss. There were also two plants in there. Yea! 3 orchids for $7!

One seemed to have rot really bad, but in pulling off the brown mushy parts, there was a wiry root-thing inside. I left them on the plant, figuring that if it was still there, and tough and wiry, it might be meant to be there. Did I do the right thing? The other had some yucky parts, but mostly green roots. I packed that one in orchid bark (we have plenty for snake bedding). The first with the wiry root things (what are they called?), I'm waiting to drill some holes in a plastic deli cup, as I don't have a clear pot for it, and pack that in bark too.

I took some pics I'll post later, and will take the Dendrobium out later and photograph that too.

Thanks for reading and for any advice!


Stephi

[harrywitmore]

The wiry thing inside the root is the fibrous part and should be removed also as it's dead material.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

1. Where did you buy the orchids from? Please do tell, so people don't get suckered into buying from a place that's comfortable selling people plants that are in terrible condition and have a high probability of dying.

2. The "wiry thing" is just part of a whole root. I believe that's just the root's vascular tissue (it's made up of fibrous cells). Everything else is gone. The root's storage and photosynthetic tissue (the root's cortex) are destroyed. The velamen layer (the root's water retention and to a smaller degree water gathering unit - when it's alive, it's the silvery white surface of the root) is gone. The root tip (the root's major water gathering unit) is destroyed. There's no root apical meristem (where new root cells grow).

Those roots are only nominally functional, if they're truly even functional at all.

I'd be pissed!

[kaitala]

They were clearance sale rescues from Lowe's. I didn't expect much, but have a green thumb for other plants, so figured I'd give it a try.

So cut off the wiry parts? I left them because I've seen other epiphytes with them, and it seems they use them to attach themselves to the trees. I didn't know if this would be the case with orchids as well. Fortunately, that one isn't repotted yet, so I can cut them off.

The one with the good roots seems perkier already, but it may just be my wishful thinking.

How tightly do I need to pack the bark in which I repot them?

Are there any "extreme Newbie" care sheets I should be reading so I'm not pestering you all with basic questions?



Thanks again,
Stephi

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Those other epiphytes you're referring to are probably bromeliads. Most likely in the genus Tillandsia, right?

The roots of bromeliads function differently from those of orchids. In bromeliads, the roots' function is not primarily used for take-up of water and nutrients. It is primarily an anchor for the plants.

However, for a bromeliad, the roots grow only if it's humid enough and if the plant is well watered and fertilized. It can take a long time for bromeliads to establish and put out living roots.

[harrywitmore]

Stephi, pictures would help. Many epiphytes, Bromeliads in particular, have what is know as hold fast roots which are as you say wiry. They offer the plant little in the way of moisture and nutrient take up. This is not the case for any orchids I know of but like I said a picture would be nice. Lowes normally has Phals, Dendrobiums and a few bagged orchids. The ones around here are normally only sold for discount if they are in very bad shape but that is not the case everywhere.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I wouldn't pack the bark tight. Just gently pat the bark down.

There's ton of Phal info, you can do a search on the OB.

[cabnc]

The clearance plants from Lowe's / Home Depot, etc are a good way to start. But if the plants are in really poor condition, it can be frustrating.
That said, cut off the wirey root remains.
You need to encourage root growth. Do not over water.
Look along the left side of the OB site; member articles; you will find care sheets.

Charlie

[kaitala]

The care sheets are great, but here's where general knowledge can confound the reader! For example, what is "adequate" drainage? I have some mosses in a viv that "adequate" drainage means the whole of them is not submerged. We have cactus where the water had better run out of them. I need "orchids for DUMMIES".

Here are pics of my new acquisitions, out of the pot. I trimmed off the dead roots (wiry things) and repotted them all in bark. Let me know if either the phal or den need anything other than bark as planting medium.

[trdyl]

Stephi,

The root system of the first Phal looks fairly okay. But There seems to be something white and fuzzy near the end of the flower spike can you get a closer picture of that.

Now the second Phal has one root in resonable condition. The wiry things are what used to be good roots. Those can be cut off. The flower spike also needs to be cut off so the plant will have more energy to make roots.

As far as the Dendrobiums go, someome else needs to chime in.