EMERGENCY! Need advice- Phal roots rot

[Ivana]

Now I have a problem again... All my orchids like to send their roots up in the air and I constantly have the feeling that there are more roots outside the media and that they dry out too fast. So, I started sprinkling them with water once between watering. Now I noticed some white, spongy looking things on those nice green roots that are growing. Can it be mold? It is only on those that are in the sprinkled area. Should I put a bit of cinnamon on it? Just a tiny little bit? Or I should just leave it and stop with sprinkling? Hmm..

[RosieC]

I would be very careful about using cinnamon around roots. Part of the way it helps in other places is that it is a desiccant (dries everything) and too much around roots can dry them so much they can never re-hydrate.

I'm not sure what you are seeing. Some roots when they are growing have a natural fuzz on them, but I'm not sure that sounds like what you describe.

Can you show a photo of what you are talking about?

I sometimes gently mist the roots in the air and have had no problems doing that, so not sure your problem is linked to that or not.

[Ivana]

Here it is. It looks as a sponge, very fine and white. And I didn't really sprinkle the air around it, I sprinkled directly on the roots and made them wet.

[Ivana]

And the reason why I mainly did it is because their air roots look almost like they are made of wood, its like plants are growing mounted on the media. They are hard I hoped more moisture will make them look less dry.

[RosieC]

That actually DOES look like part of the natural fuzz roots can develop.

Some people say it's the root's feet. It is a fuzz that helps the roots grip and cling to the tree trunks they naturally grow on.

The green tip of that root is growing and while doing that it's just trying to grip the medium.

It might be good to see what others thing but I don't believe you have anything to worry about.

[Ivana]

I am 100% sure that you gave me the right answer, because the I had to remove small piece of media to make a picture for you. It was completely stuck to that rot and I had to be very careful not to damage it. Others are the same, that thing acts like glue.

Thank you Rosie!

[Ivana]

And one more thing, that orchid I had to heal from rot, is growing not only new roots but also a new leaf. And I can see the progress every day!

[Wjs2nd]

That is great! I would also suggest rooting hormone if your ever having trouble with roots. I have a mounted phal I sprayed with some rooting hormone and now the roots are going crazy. I have 5 new roots growing.

[Ivana]

Thankfully, I don't have problem with roots growing, only with roots growing in wrong direction I am also growing bonsai, and one one forum a guy suggested me to sprinkle bonsai tree with light beer (50-50 beer+water) as it helps leaves accumulating vitamin B for its cells. He also said he is doing that for his orchids and that they have beautiful shiny leaves. Now, I still didn't make beer party for my plants, but I will test bonsai first. If it goes well, orchids will get their share too, and then I am going to share the results with the rest of community.