Help! My first orchid, a phalaenopsis, has rot!

[nicolaluna]

Hello! This is my first post- I saw the most beautiful orchid today at Whole Foods and was compelled to purchase it. It's my first orchid, and it's a phalaenopsis. I came home and gave it a little water; then I read online that you don’t want to give your orchids too much water.

So, I lifted the inner transparent pot out of the clay pot to check, and immediately noticed two things. Two tiny little rust-brown mites ran down inside the pot where I couldn’t get at them. But even worse, I could see some of the roots; most look green and healthy but there are some pressed up against one side that look a sickly pale brownish green. My heart sank.

I’m determined to help it live, but does it have an orchid “virus?” What can I do about the roots? Is there some way I can get rid of the dead ones without killing the plant? And what can I do about bugs that I can’t get at? Soapy water won’t work when they’re hiding way down inside the pot.

Thanks for your help!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What you're seeing isn't viral for sure.

It's most likely potted using sphagnum moss as a medium. Straight up sphag can stay too wet for too long.



Pull the plant out of the pot regardless of whether it's got flowers or not.

Prior to pulling the plant out of the pot, wet the roots thoroughly to make them pliable and less apt to be broken.

Squeeze the pot to loosen the roots that may have clung the inside of the pot.

Any roots that remain stuck inside the pot should be gently teased off the pot while wet by hand.

I also suggest keeping the clear plastic pot and cleaning it, just in case.




Once you take a look at the roots, you'll know what to do.

There's also tons of info on Phals here on the OB, you can do a search using the OB search engine.

What I've mentioned so far would be a good starting point though.

[CTB]

Welcome to the Orchid Board, I suggest you start with the search there is so much information about repotting, changing media, and phals, you'll have all the answers and how- tos, also repot me.com has several videos on the subject.
The search is at the top of the forum menu. You are right too much water is usually the cause of death, and the media that yours is probably planted in is the cause. Happy reading. It is amazing how much information we have on this site. Enjoy!

[Melody]

I also wanted to add. Don't freak out, just breathe. You can do this. It's going to be ok. If you have only had an orchid for a day it can be a little overwhelming. There's a lot of information here to help you. Take your time researching. You don't want an information overload. lol. And you might be surprised at how hardy some orchids can be.

I wouldn't worry about orchid viruses at this point, and King of Orchid growing is giving you good advise. I also want to mention that roots can be discolored and still good. You have to feel them and see if they are mushy to really know for sure. Plus when you unpot it you will be able to see all the roots, not just the ones up against the outside of the container. If you are worried or unsure about how they look post up a pic and people here will be happy to assist you.

[nicolaluna]

Thank you so much, Philip, Carol & Melody! I'll try what you suggested with the roots today- I'm nervous of hurting the plant as it's in full bloom but I think you're right. I delayed once for similar reasons on another plant that had a few mites and the problem exploded. Maybe I can take care of the bad roots and the mites at the same time.

I'll definitely do some more reading too- I am unclear as to whether orchids are incredibly hardy or incredibly fragile. After all they're on every continent and have been around for millions of years, yet you need a sterile incubator to breed them!

I'll will post pics if I need more help, and appreciate the advice. Thanks again!

Nicole

[Daethen]

I feel that way too sometimes, Nicole. Then I think that orchids do manage to reproduce all by themselves in the wild with NO sterile environment. Don't worry yours will be fine. I bought a big box orchid and nearly drowned it as I didn't realize it had no drainage in the pot it came in. Didn't turn it over to check since who ever heard of a pot that didn't drain. When I realized what was going on, it had one good root and 2 floppy leaves. It now has several good roots, 2 new air roots and 6 leaves including the 2 that were left that are no longer floppy. If I can do it at that late stage, you will be fine.

[Gin]

If there are no bugs on the plant leaves the bugs are probably from the potting mix being to wet there are different types that feed on decaying too wet mix . Welcome to the OB

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

When you guys are talking about orchid seeds - that's a whole other very complicated topic.

But the quick run down is...

Each orchid can produce several seed pods on a plant. Depending on what orchid you're referring to, each pod may contain anywhere from several tens to several thousands of macroscopic seeds.

Most orchid seeds need a specific kind of fungus to germinate.

When orchids produce that many seeds per plant, they're pretty much leaving it up to chance for the seeds to disperse and find a suitable spot for the embryos to grow and meet up with the correct fungus to germinate the seeds.

The reason for the sterile environment for seed germination in cultivation is:

1. The fungus needed to germinate the seeds is not available only to the orchid seeds, but to the average hobbyist.

In place of the fungus, the sowing media does the job.

2. To better control the odds of germination.


If you live in the areas that each type of orchid grows in, then yes, you may randomly spread the seeds around the specific areas very close to where they are found growing in nature, and the seeds will sprout without anybody's help. But the yield will not necessarily be high all the time.

[jrodpad]

Nicolaluna

Phals are really quite hardy. They can take an amazing amount of abuse. So, with that in mind, don't be shy or feel like you have to treat the orchid with kid gloves. Roll up your sleeves, put down some newsprint, flame sterilize a pair of scissors and start trimmin those dead roots. You can do it!

-J

[Orchid126]

Ditto what Melody says. Don't go by the color of the roots, go by the texture of the roots. Firm or plump is good, mushy or leathery dry is bad.