Repot in bloom? - Orchid Board

butterfly_muse · #1 03-11-2013, 02:53 PM

I know, I know, you're not supposed to repot an orchid while it is in bloom. I just acquired this beautiful phal, but upon inspecting her when I got home, I pulled her out of her cup and a bunch of her roots are mushy, black and brown. There are also white and green spots and white fuzz around a lot of the dead roots (which I suspect is fungus). Additionally, she seems over-crammed into her cup...as in the roots are causing the cup to be oblong instead of round because they are bulging inside of it. I was not able to get a look at the roots before I bought the orchid because there was plastic wrapped around the rim of the pot.

I have attached pictures. I am afraid to repot it, but I am even more afraid to leave it like it is. Any tips?

SlipperGirl · #2 03-11-2013, 03:05 PM

the roots on top still look good

I would repot you need to get rid of all those bad roots.

butterfly_muse · #3 03-11-2013, 03:11 PM

Luckily I got a new pot for her while I was at the store (I was afraid I might find what I did). What is the best way to sterilize it? I only have a two gallon bucket, and all I can find bleach/water ratios for is 5 gallons (and I am so fail at math!).

SlipperGirl · #4 03-11-2013, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

Luckily I got a new pot for her while I was at the store (I was afraid I might find what I did). What is the best way to sterilize it? I only have a two gallon bucket, and all I can find bleach/water ratios for is 5 gallons (and I am so fail at math!).

I think you want to use 1/2 cup bleach for every gallon of water. Than just let it sit there for hour or so. make sure to rinse it when your done.

are you potting in a plastic pot?

butterfly_muse · #5 03-11-2013, 03:20 PM

Alright, thank you!

I hope this goes well for the plant, I'd feel so guilty if I killed it!

SlipperGirl · #6 03-11-2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

Alright, thank you!

I hope this goes well for the plant, I'd feel so guilty if I killed it!

I am sure you wont kill it

phals are very forgiving plants. I have two right now that have no roots and one is pulling though the other one is hanging on

feel free to ask if you have any questions

professor plant · #7 03-11-2013, 08:55 PM

If you decide to repot, cut all roots that are mush with a clean blade. The plant will do much better without them and so will the new media you pot in.

In my opinion, an orchid does much better at surviving with fewer healthy roots, than with tons of rotton ones. Once you clean it up, it may even go better into a smaller pot. Small is good, when potting. Tightly packing it in is not good.

butterfly_muse · #8 03-11-2013, 09:00 PM

Alright. I repotted a different one this weekend in some bark specially formulated for orchids and the one I repotted seems okay (so far, it's early). I am currently soaking the bark and am hoping to repot this gal tomorrow. Do I need to rinse this plant once I get all the medium out of it and cut its roots? I have been reading that cinnamon should be sprinkled on the cut areas to prevent fungus - will this help? I think she's got some mold cuz her roots are all fuzzy and soggy right now. Is there any way I can make sure the fungus or mold doesn't come back?

SlipperGirl · #9 03-11-2013, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

Alright. I repotted a different one this weekend in some bark specially formulated for orchids and the one I repotted seems okay (so far, it's early). I am currently soaking the bark and am hoping to repot this gal tomorrow. Do I need to rinse this plant once I get all the medium out of it and cut its roots? I have been reading that cinnamon should be sprinkled on the cut areas to prevent fungus - will this help? I think she's got some mold cuz her roots are all fuzzy and soggy right now. Is there any way I can make sure the fungus or mold doesn't come back?

could you post some pics of the roots?

but yes you will want to put cinnamon on the cut areas.

If it is mold I think you can get rid of it by just cutting the bad roots off and putting cinnamon on them.

I have never had mold on my orchids so I dont know what you should do but somone else should answer

butterfly_muse · #10 03-11-2013, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mothorchidgirl

could you post some pics of the roots?

but yes you will want to put cinnamon on the cut areas.

If it is mold I think you can get rid of it by just cutting the bad roots off and putting cinnamon on them.

I have never had mold on my orchids so I dont know what you should do but somone else should answer

I posted some photos on the original thread to show the roots (can you see them?)...would you like more pictures?