How often do you check roots?

[Corsetière]

I wondered if you guys routinely pull your orchids out of their pots to inspect the roots? When I first started buying orchids I bought a lot of "bargain" sale orchids - most of which I discovered to have root rot when I depotted the plants at home. I've definitely made some strides with some of these problem children, but often I have noticed I do not completely eradicate the rot on the first shot. I have gotten to the point where I am very nervous of any root rot and wondered if some growers just routinely do a root check every couple of weeks or if this practice of pulling the plant out of the pot so often would be harmful to it?

[bellini girl]

I grow most of my orchids in SH, and can see roots through the clear pots. So no surprises

[Bud]

When my plants arrive for the first time in my environment, I must repot and check roots unless it came from a reputable tried and tested grower.
I invested in clear plastic pots or I drill glass vases so I can monitor the roots without uprooting the plant.

---------- Post added at 05:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:01 PM ----------

With my heirloom specimen sized Cattleyas with roots creeping out of the pot, I do not repot but just put the whole plant pot and all inside a bigger pot and fill it with mix.

[Dendy83]

The plastic pots are probably the best way to check root health. I think phals are pretty tolerant of being repotted, but not every few weeks! What I've done is buy some cheap plastic saucers from the nursery, cut them down and add holes then invert it into one of my clay pots. That way air can get up into the middle of the root mass and I can breathe easier knowing that the roots will dry evenly.

[james mickelso]

By and large (wonder where that phrase came from and what it really means) root rot is caused by too much moisture. Plain and simple. If you repot it correctly, it should stay healthy and free from rot. No need to take it out of the pot at all. Good culture will eleviate any problems. I would bet that your continuing problems with root rot after repotting is caused by watering the plant too much after it is repotted instead of letting it dry to heal it's wounds. And we tend to think we need to keep the media wet/damp/moist. We water the roots, not the media. Orchids with few roots don't need to be watered to make more roots. The plant does that by itself. Enough water is essential. Too much water kills them with kindness. I think beginners water wayyyyy toooo much.

[RosieC]

Orchids in clear pots I regularly have a peer in at the roots I can see and check they seem good. If I'm not happy I pull it out for a better look at everything.

Others I just check when I repot, every 1-2 years, or if I have reason to worry about the roots I might pull it out just to look.

Some orchids don't like being disturbed though. My Prosthechea cochleata's roots will die off just from a small disturbance

[Corsetière]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

I think beginners water wayyyyy toooo much.

Yeah, I definitely did this when I started. I am using the bamboo skewer method to try to rehabilitate my ways. lol

There are still times when things are a bit uncertain as to whether it is time to water as some genera seem to like to be a tad bit more moist but I guess it's better to error on the side of dry.

I honestly have yet to purchase an orchid that did not have root rot to begin with. I am definitely swearing off buying from certain places for these reasons. I just bought 2 from Kawamoto Orchids and I have hope that these two should be in better condition than my previous purchases from other vendors.

Thanks for everyone's responses!

---------- Post added at 01:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:09 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Dendy83

The plastic pots are probably the best way to check root health. I think phals are pretty tolerant of being repotted, but not every few weeks! What I've done is buy some cheap plastic saucers from the nursery, cut them down and add holes then invert it into one of my clay pots. That way air can get up into the middle of the root mass and I can breathe easier knowing that the roots will dry evenly.

Yeah I transfered everything to clear plastic pots. I have noticed an improvement in root health with this change. I love your idea re: the saucers. I think I saw someone else created cones with plastic canvas for this purpose also. Or I guess I could use styrofoam peanuts like some nurseries do. Good advice!

[NYCorchidman]

I think pulling the entire plants out of the pot every now and then is not only necessary but also harmful in that growing tips and already established roots are constantly bothered and damaged in the process.

If your plants look fine and grow nicely, then all is fine.
Clear plastic pots are nice because you can see the roots.
I don't have all my plant in clear pots but as long as you know the condition of the mix and plants grow healthy, it's all good.

[WhiteRabbit]

Unless a plant is new, or is declining, I leave them be until they need repotting. I don't wish to disturb plants that are doing well, any more than necessary.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Unless a plant is new, or is declining, I leave them be until they need repotting. I don't wish to disturb plants that are doing well, any more than necessary.

I agree.