Trying to save a two year old Phalaenopsis

[Buffalo2245]

I am a novice at growing orchids...I have 10 plants of varying colors and size that are mostly a year old, some less. But I have 1 that I have raised for two years, it has bloomed twice and it still has very nice green leaves but the bottom root is dead. There are white tentacles shooting out of the stem among the leaves. Is this new root growth in the opposite direction? How do I keep it alive if this is the case? I hate to lose this one since I managed to keep it alive and healthy (until now) for 2 years...a record for me!

[Paul Mc]

Those white tentacles are what we call aerial roots. They are truly roots and would grow that way in nature seeking out other sources of moisture and nutrients.

Does your orchid have other roots besides the one you say is dead growing into the pot? What is it growing in (bark, sphagnum moss, or something else)?

[Buffalo2245]

The bottom roots have died...all the leaves look healthy which is what threw me. The white tentacles are healthy looking. My orchid is planted in an orchid potting mix with bark mixed in...it was originally in a moss/potting mix but when I re-potted it last year it seemed to thrive with this new mixture. Is it possible to turn it on end with the tentacles in the potting mix?

[Paul Mc]

Is the orchid potting medium Miracle Gro's per chance? If the medium is finely cut, there's the problem. You need medium sized wood chunks mixed with perlite and horticultural charcoal. The roots need to be able to breathe and they have probably suffocated in there. I used to use it long ago, and they seemed to do fine for a while, then one by one they started to die.

Leaves are usually the last place to look for issues as they generally won't tell you until you have a severe problem.

I would take a moist towel to the aerial roots daily.

Please let us know about the mix you are using. A picture would be helpful.

[Stray59]

Buffalo2245:
Pot grown Phalaenopsis grow vertically, unlike many other orchids which grow horizontally. In nature, the plant would lay over against the tree limb and grow with the leaves and crown pointing downward - this is why the crown will rot if allowed to keep standing water - in nature, the crown would naturally drain. So the stem produces aerial roots to grab ahold of the tree as the stem gets longer, with the oldest roots dying off as they are no longer needed. What this means to the home enthusiast is that you have to repot often. I have a phalae that currently has six very long aerial roots that protrude out of the stem several inches above the potting mix. I was going to repot then it decided to send up a bloom spike, so I have to mist the aerial roots every other day or so. It is doing very well. What you are seeing is the natural growth and progression of a phalaenopsis. They tend to send out aerial roots even when they are in ideal conditions as they are preparing for the next growth stage. As you just repotted it last year, you may not have to do so again, but if you have dead roots below, you are asking for decomp to start and this can lead to infections. Best to repot it, removing all of the roots that are rotting or damaged, and repot up to the bottom leaf, not just where the roots stop emerging from the stem.
Best of luck - tell us what happens!
Steve

[Buffalo2245]

Thank you all for the helpful info. I have been using Miracle Gro for the last 2 years or more...my plants aren't densely packed but I will do an inventory of each one just to make sure. They are all in self draining pots and I never allow them to stand in water. I check the roots each time I water which is usually once a week if needed. I feed them once a month when they are sprouting new growth or budding. They get plenty of air circulation. Living out in the sticks 100 miles from any gardening center makes it hard browse for products that may be of use. I can order items online which is why I joined this site so I could get some ideas.

[Paul Mc]

I would check out local or nearby orchid vendors and see what kind of mixes they offer online and buy some to replace the Miracle Gro. Their orchid mix is more suitable for terrestrial orchids rather than the ones you have. The roots must be able to breathe or they will suffocate in time. While you may have potted them lightly, watering and decomposition does eventually pack that stuff in.