Are these Phalaenopsis roots healthy? HELP!

[RawanAS]

I bought my first orchid 5 months ago, recently I started noticing one or two very tiny white spider looking bugs whenever I water it, I also started noticing the top roots are drying, and the new leaf stopped growing. I have no idea what to do! Please look at the attached pictures and any suggestions are welcomed!
Info about my care:
I water it when I see the medium is dry which is about 8-9 days, I used to use fertilizer every other time I water but now I started to do it more frequently, and I have a water plate under it to keep humidity around it.

[My Green Pets]

Well, as I am now an expert (joking), I can tell you that those top roots do not look healthy. However, I would need to see the roots in the pot to be able to give an accurate opinion.

Same with the white spidery things, from a distance my first reaction was "mealybugs!" but without a good close-up, I just can't be sure.

The leaves look good, but I wonder why they are splayed out in all directions...do you turn it much?

[NewOrchid983]

You should be careful with your fertilizer use. You have two options: 1. Fertilize once a month following instructions on package or 2. Each time you water, but only with 1/4 of package recommendation. Roots on top look dead, but your leaves are healthy looking (good color and firm appearance).

[RawanAS]

Thank you so much for replying! I have attached more pictures of the roots so maybe you can help me identify the problem, I can't take a picture of the tiny bugs because I can only see them after I water it and I looked it up and it doesn't look like mealy bugs.
I don't know why the leaves are turned, I don't move it around

[butterfly_muse]

They look okay, but that medium looks too fine. I'd take it out, examine all the roots (they should all be green and plump) and cut off (with a sterile instrument) all the ones that are bad. And then I'd put that guy into some bigger medium, like bark chips. That looks far too fine and will hold onto moisture, which will cause your roots to rot. Have you read the "The Phal Abuse Ends Here" sticky at the top of the Beginner board? If not, it may take you a few sittings, but it's definitely worth it.

[My Green Pets]

It looks like the roots are dying.

The potting material is rather dense around the roots. The pot is also without any ventilation slits or holes.

This, combined with too much moisture, could be a cause of root rot.

BUT!

I believe you can save it before it goes any further.

Here's what I would do:

1 - Carefully remove the plant from the pot.
2 - Clean as much potting mix from the roots as possible without cracking or breaking any.
3 - Give the roots a good washing in room-temperature water
4 - Sterilize a pair of sharp! scissors with alcohol or flame and snip off any brown or shriveling roots up a bit into the green part. You don't want to leave any brown part on. If the whole root is shriveled and brown, cut it as close to the base of the plant as possible.
5 - Leave the plant bare-root in an empty pot for a couple of days. This will allow the wounded roots to seal up the cuts without more risk of infection. You can even dab the cut root tips in a fungicide.
6 - You can leave the plant out of pot for as long as you want, keeping in mind that the roots must be soaked once every day. This way you will ensure maximum air to the roots as well as give you the opportunity to inspect the roots for more rot.
7 - When you reach a point where you are fairly certain the roots have stopped rotting, give them a good soaking and repot the plant in a big, chunky potting medium, like 1 to 1.5 inch pieces of lava rock or fir bark. These big chunks of media will ensure lots of air circulates around your orchid's roots and greatly reduce the chance of more root rot.

I hope this is helpful.

[RawanAS]

Thank you Butterfly_muse and CambriaWhat, I took it out and some roots were rotten I have read so much on Orchids' care but I guess it wasn't enough! I will read about root rot and "The Phal Abuse Ends Here" sticky to find out more...
CambriaWhat, thank you so much for the detailed care informations to save my baby! I followed your steps and I covered the open wounds with cinnamon coz I read it acts as a fungicide, so now I wait and pray for it to get better!

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by RawanAS

Thank you Butterfly_muse and CambriaWhat, I took it out and some roots were rotten I have read so much on Orchids' care but I guess it wasn't enough! I will read about root rot and "The Phal Abuse Ends Here" sticky to find out more...
CambriaWhat, thank you so much for the detailed care informations to save my baby! I followed your steps and I covered the open wounds with cinnamon coz I read it acts as a fungicide, so now I wait and pray for it to get better!

I wouldn't recommend putting cinnamon in roots, cinnamon acts as a desiccant and can dry them out and kill them. :/ Some people do it but I wouldn't especially not with a plant that needs to recover.

[RawanAS]

what do you recommend?

[bethmarie]

I like your chances with this one, Rawan. I've had a couple of Phals come back fine (eventually) after rot that left them with only one or two small roots. From what I can see, yours has several large, healthy roots.
Think the cinnamon will be fine, too, if you just used a little bit on the cut ends of roots. My over-liberal use of it has hurt a couple of plants tho, so I'm more cautious with it than I used to be, especially on roots and more sensitive plants.