tea cup orchid roots..

[kindrag23]

All of my tea cup orchids lower roots have died. But it has 3 nice green new roots that have started growing..What exactly is going on. I originally got this on sale at wal mart and it was in bad shape. I have been working really hard the last 6+ months to get the orchid to survive. Not sure what to do....

[Ghosthunt64]

Are you sure all the roots have died; and are the leaves soft? Those roots don't particularly look like their growing, usually the tip is a green if so.

[kindrag23]

The leaves are wilting but the roots seem to have grown a little bit more each day.

---------- Post added at 07:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:57 PM ----------

They are very soft if that is a better way of saying that. There are some roots they are just strings though.

[syspila]

I have been growing 'chids for 30 years so maybe I can help. I see one root growing tho with a "belt" before the growth area. Your media looks very dry. You might water it very fully...pour out any excess of water and make sure it is in a good amount of light. Do you know what species/type your orchid is? Your pic is so close, it would help to see it fully.

---------- Post added at 08:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 PM ----------

I assume it is a small Phalenopsis Hybrid from what I can see on the pic.

[kindrag23]

The tag called it a teacup orchid I have never had it bloom. It had spikes but they had died by the type I got it. But I do feel that you are right and it is a hybrid phal. Its leaves look a lot like my larger phal's.

[kindrag23]

This guy gets lots of light. Especially during the evening when the sun sets.

[syspila]

OK, it is a Phaleonopsis Orchid hybrid and good job on soaking it! Now in about 4 days you may have to do it again. The roots will white out again...let the medium dry out yet not bone dry. Then soak it again. In that week, you will see the leaves get turgid (full and tight with water in them) that will be good.

[kindrag23]

Okay I will keep a very close eye on it. I have said in other posts I have started watering everyday because it is so hot here their medium dries out so quickly.

So when the roots that grow long outside of the pots and turn white is that bad or okay?

Newby question: what does a "belt" on the root mean?

[syspila]

As your plant stabilizes, watering once per week, maybe less will keep it happy. To water it soak it in a tupperware of water or in the sik with a stopper in the drain, This way you really soak it! Fill the sink or tuppeware high enough to almost get water into the top of the "TeaCup" it is in...you dont want the bark to flow out! Do this for about 15 minutes to really soak the bark medium and the plant. It will really start to grow...albeit slowly!

[kindrag23]

Okay I have never heard of this method thank you again so much! I will try this with all of my guys tomorrow!