roots discolored and drying up

[bejay]

Hello,
I would like your input on what you think is the cause of my root problem, and how I can correct it.
My roots start out a healthy silver color, but then start to lose this slowly over time (become brown). They also lose their green tips, and then some shrivel altogether. It is not the wet type black, mushy bacterial rot happening rapidly(I guess).
I water with tap water and fertilizer (better-gro) 1/2 tsp per gallon once every 4-5 days. I grow mostly Phals indoors under fluorescent lights.
As I think it is partly due to low humidity, I have just started to run my humidifier.
As to other causes...room temperature, fertilizer burn, water temperature, chlorine in tap water?
My minimum temps right now is 65F. I let the tap water stand for over 12 hours before using.
I appreciate your input!

[Ross]

Wow! Several possibilities. Tap water could contain several things that your 'chids don't like. Chlorine is one. The roots look healthy to me in your photo, but your description could be a common thing with many folk (me for one) where the roots develope strongly with nice green ends, then stop growing and the green goes away, then start growing again with new green ends. I've posted on this before and no clear answer (to me). If it's tap water you can answer this question by using distilled water from grocery store for a few months and see if this changes things. If so, I would recommend putting in an RO unit at sink.

[isurus79]

Im not an expert on Phals, but it looks like you have your plant in an exclusively bark media. If you have low humidity and only water once or twice a week, your plant might be drying out. Try watering it a little more, but not much (maybe 2x per week, instead of 1.5 on average). Also, I dont know if you need to give that much fertilizer. Is your plant in active growth? I hope this helps.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by bejay

Hello,
I would like your input on what you think is the cause of my root problem, and how I can correct it.
My roots start out a healthy silver color, but then start to lose this slowly over time (become brown). They also lose their green tips, and then some shrivel altogether. It is not the wet type black, mushy bacterial rot happening rapidly(I guess).
I water with tap water and fertilizer (better-gro) 1/2 tsp per gallon once every 4-5 days. I grow mostly Phals indoors under fluorescent lights.
As I think it is partly due to low humidity, I have just started to run my humidifier.
As to other causes...room temperature, fertilizer burn, water temperature, chlorine in tap water?
My minimum temps right now is 65F. I let the tap water stand for over 12 hours before using.
I appreciate your input!

Other observations... Mine are indoors with RO water 1-2 times per week. Every watering gets 125ppm Nitrogen fertilizer mix. Humidity averages 45-55% and Light is south window supplemented with compact florescent lights. Pots are clear plastic, slotted. Mix is coarse bark with added perlite and a little sphagnum. I NEVER use tap water 'cause mine is softened (and has residual sodium).

The Phals are in lower section of this image.

[dougd]

HI Ross,

Your setup looks great, except for the wiring. Are you worried about a fire hazard?

[gmdiaz]

I would definately go with the ro water. . .but I am thinking too, the humidity is too low.

I'd recommend adding a humidifer to the room and humidity trays. . .for sure.

I've noticed too that the top roots above the media are the ones that dry out. . .so maybe it's planted up too high in the pot? Or maybe you need more of the bark chips if the roots are too exposed? Or maybe you could tuck a layer of spagnum on top and keep that misted?

I've also noticed that there is a difference between air roots and regular roots. Wonder which ones yours are?

Just some thoughts. . .lol

[Ross]

Originally Posted by dougd

HI Ross,

Your setup looks great, except for the wiring. Are you worried about a fire hazard?

Nope! No water gets on bulbs.

[bejay]

Thanks for your input.
I just started using a humidifier. My fertilizer is not over 150 ppm N. All the roots are in pot, and I agree that it may be potted a little high (I may need to repot to a larger size). I will try to water a bit more often and will top dress the pot with some sphagnum moss. for now.
Thanks.

[Shirley]

Bejay,

I agree with isurus79. I think it could be over-fertilization. I would try either cutting to half that strength or going to once every two weeks with a good flushing in between. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Shirley

[markr]

I'm almost certain that the problem is humidity, and you seem to have guessed this too. Exposed roots never do well (for me) unless humidity stays above 60% or so.