Phalenopsis root question

[frostedeyes]

pretty good... seriously.. phals are tough... if you put potted them correctly or for me... mounting is still the best way..

[kmccormic]

Originally Posted by Zoi2

I agree, the roots looked fine. I would wash the cinnamon off before you repot as it will just dry the roots out.
Joann

Ooops. I just repotted with the cinnamon on the roots, I thought with the potential for "root rot" it would be better to leave the antiseptic in place. It's had several flush waterings since then, so hopefully that's gone now. The roots are all dried up, I guess that was the cinnamon. I assumed it was simply due to the cutting I'd done to them, or that they weren't getting enough water after the repotting. What I've done to this poor plant. I don't want to encourage the crown rot. That crown rot has me ver nervous. The 3 leaves remaining are still green, although they are very limp and have a few watery brown spots on them.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by kmccormic

Ooops. I just repotted with the cinnamon on the roots, I thought with the potential for "root rot" it would be better to leave the antiseptic in place. It's had several flush waterings since then, so hopefully that's gone now. The roots are all dried up, I guess that was the cinnamon. I assumed it was simply due to the cutting I'd done to them, or that they weren't getting enough water after the repotting. What I've done to this poor plant. I don't want to encourage the crown rot. That crown rot has me ver nervous. The 3 leaves remaining are still green, although they are very limp and have a few watery brown spots on them.

Yep, cinnamon is a desiccant, meaning it dries stuff up. The best way to use it is to apply only to the cut ends of the roots (also to the cut edges of any leaves that you trim away diseased portions of). I find the easiest way to use cinnamon is to moisten a fingertip, dig into cinnamon and then apply where needed.

Here's a good old thread, which also includes suggestions from Ray on making a sprayable infusion of cinnamon without the drying effects:

Cinnamon is a desiccant - Orchid Forum Orchid Care

[pacomartini]

i've been an enthusiast for about a yr but here is what i learned. it looks like the moss u have as a potting medium is to wet. i mix my s moss with orchid bark (home depot) and repot at the appropriate time in a terracotta pot with holes on the side as well as the bottom (home depot). i don't know if thats a kosher move but the new roots seem to like to have something to cling on to. the green roots look good to me but if kept in such wet cinditions they may rot. i cant tell from the photos if there are dead rotted roots mixed in with the moss. on the good side your phal leaves look to be the right color but do seem a little wrinked which is probably due to too much water. i would definately water less...let the moss almost dry out...usually once a week. i water mine out side until the water runs completely thru the plant and pot but water well...just wait till the water stops dripping out the bottom. hope this helps!

[silken]

Keep an eye on the watery brown spots on the leaves. You could try wiping that with peroxide or putting some cinnamon just on the spots on the leaf. I find switching from soaking wet moss to straight bark to be too much of a change from wet to dry for my phals. I add some moss to the mix. If it's really bad, you might just have to chalk it up to a learning experience and treat yourself to a new one Also, any firm green or white root is a healthy root and the more the merrier. Limp or soggy brown roots and totally dessicated ones are the only ones to remove.

[kmccormic]

Silken:

What about roots with breaks on them? As in you can see a break in the root with the inner string connecting top part to the bottom, but both sides are silver/green and firm or springy. That's part of what I trimmed off on this plant. Not sure if that was a mistake.

[silken]

Originally Posted by kmccormic

Silken:

What about roots with breaks on them? As in you can see a break in the root with the inner string connecting top part to the bottom, but both sides are silver/green and firm or springy. That's part of what I trimmed off on this plant. Not sure if that was a mistake.

If they are healthy on both sides of the break I leave them. I don't know how they manage, but they do seem to live and grow like that. If there are black mushy areas at the end of the root, I cut that back to healthy green root. I have one right now with an air root that is broken and like you are referring to, but it is fine and the half after the break is fat and firm. If you can get KLN rooting hormone, it is helpful in stimulating new root growth. Most of the powder rooting hormones are too strong for orchids.