The Phal abuse ends here.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by Seewah86

Well, this morning I went to six different stores to look for the BetterGro mix. Not a single one carried it. Instead, I came home with Espoma Organic Orchid Mix. Contains 65-75% western fir bark, perlite, and charcoal. I hope this is acceptable. It was literally the only mix I could find that wasn't solely bark or moss. I'm pretty surprised at the lack of orchid supplies sold in stores considering how popular orchids are. Too bad.

A lot of stuff is sold online, unfortunately. =\ What you got sounds okay. If you are going to repot into the same pot, sterilize your pot first. But make sure to rinse it really, really well. Good luck!

[Seewah86]

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

A lot of stuff is sold online, unfortunately. =\ What you got sounds okay. If you are going to repot into the same pot, sterilize your pot first. But make sure to rinse it really, really well. Good luck!

Thanks for all of your help! Is there a particular website you might recommend for the purchasing of supplies?

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by Seewah86

Thanks for all of your help! Is there a particular website you might recommend for the purchasing of supplies?

Tindara's Orchid Supplies or RepotMe. Repotme is good but their shipping is a bit ridiculous, imo.

And you can also go to Ray's website (Ray frequents the board): Firstrays.com

[Seewah86]

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

Tindara's Orchid Supplies or RepotMe. Repotme is good but their shipping is a bit ridiculous, imo.

And you can also go to Ray's website (Ray frequents the board): Firstrays.com

Thanks! Time for a little shopping

[Talila6]

Originally Posted by Seewah86

Well, this morning I went to six different stores to look for the BetterGro mix. Not a single one carried it. Instead, I came home with Espoma Organic Orchid Mix. Contains 65-75% western fir bark, perlite, and charcoal. I hope this is acceptable. It was literally the only mix I could find that wasn't solely bark or moss. I'm pretty surprised at the lack of orchid supplies sold in stores considering how popular orchids are. Too bad.

The best way to find acceptable orchid potting mix is to find an orchid show in your area. There are always vendors with good mixes and wonderful labelled plants!

[Seewah86]

Well, sad news. As I feared, my orchid's roots were rotting. I was going to switch it to the better mix but at this point I'm not sure if that's such a great idea. I removed most of the velamen (correct me if that's not right) on the bad roots and left the thin stringy guy still attached. There are a few roots on there that are obviously not doing great but I was afraid to go chop happy on something that doesn't have much left to chop. Right now I have it "barefoot" to dry out what's left of the good roots. Also put in a spot with not much light *sigh* What next? I've attached some pics.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by Seewah86

Well, sad news. As I feared, my orchid's roots were rotting. I was going to switch it to the better mix but at this point I'm not sure if that's such a great idea. I removed most of the velamen (correct me if that's not right) on the bad roots and left the thin stringy guy still attached. There are a few roots on there that are obviously not doing great but I was afraid to go chop happy on something that doesn't have much left to chop. Right now I have it "barefoot" to dry out what's left of the good roots. Also put in a spot with not much light *sigh* What next? I've attached some pics.

Have you been able to read through this entire thread? I know it's terribly long, but it has all the info you need. Also you need to cut those strings off they're not helping your plant. Sterilize your equipment first, and maybe invest in some KLN root hormone from DynaGro or some KelpMax from Ray. =\ It has roots that look viable and nice. Just read through this thread. It's worth it.

[Seewah86]

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

Have you been able to read through this entire thread? I know it's terribly long, but it has all the info you need. Also you need to cut those strings off they're not helping your plant. Sterilize your equipment first, and maybe invest in some KLN root hormone from DynaGro or some KelpMax from Ray. =\ It has roots that look viable and nice. Just read through this thread. It's worth it.

I have read a lot of it but not all of it, admittedly. I used the search function to look up root rot and lots of other specific things I had questions about. I feel like a lot of what i'm reading is stuff I already know. It's putting all that info to use that's the problem. I'm just so afraid of killing it lol I wish I knew someone in my area that could sit down and talk to me about orchids and give me some hands on experience. I learn better by doing but unfortunately it's not always the easiest route or an option really.

I really do appreciate all of the help I've gotten here so far. It has been fantastic to get such quick responses.

Edit: I just came across these threads and they have been the most helpful to my situation so I wanted to link to them here.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...any-roots.html

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-recovery.html

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...remaining.html

[My Green Pets]

Hello,

I've had the same problem with phal after phal, and these two are no exception. Roots were beautiful when plants were purchased last year. Now they look fine inside the pot, but at the surface they look brown and horrible!
Each plant has grown two new leaves this summer but no new roots (?)

Care has been:
Light - bright west window (see photo, taken at around 19:00/7 o'clock pm)
Water - Dunk and 10-min soak once every 7-10 days
Ferts - 1/4 strength houseplant ferts w each watering
Temps - 25-35 deg C
Air circulation - fan and open window

I would appreciate your insights...thanks!

[RosieC]

This looks normal. It's due to lower humidity in your house than in the nursery/greenhouse where they first grew. Arial/surface roots that grow in your conditions will likely not go the same way, but the ones that grew in a very humid nursery/greenhouse will usually go this way.

The brown might be iron deposits from your water. I have water with high iron content and get it all the time, but not sure for certain that's what it is.

If the the roots in the pot are fine, then I would not worry about it.