Repotting new orchids --> dead roots

[dangerouseddy]

I always spray the roots on my phal with Listerine when I repot seems to help keep down fungal problems.

[hbozeman]

Listerine? Full Strength?

[dangerouseddy]

Originally Posted by hbozeman

Listerine? Full Strength?

yes the original brown version, there are some threads on here about it:-

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...terine-do.html

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...cking-yet.html

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-products.html

Home remedies for ailing orchids - Orchid Board

[Reeses]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Another possibility is that the roots are damaged during the re-potting process and an infection sets in, rotting the roots.
The trick I use is to soak the orchid root zone before I remove it from the pot, take great care with the roots while removing the medium, then use my medium (now LECA) completely dry. After the process, I do not water for a few days. This gives the roots a chance to heal. Damp conditions help stimulate fungus growth and with the roots in such a tender condition, this can lead to the roots rotting.
I use LECA now as my main medium and every new orchid that isn't mounted goes directly into it. I really like LECA as the old roots just keep growing after the re-potting. Even the orchids with fussy roots don't mind being re-potted into it.

I'm intrigued with LECA as a medium, too. I bought a big bag of it that I've been mixing into the moss and bark to break it up some. I currently have two in S/H a large paph seedling that is doing okay (not really growing much but not dead) and a mini phal that I'm trying to acclimate to S/H. I love the idea of potting in solely lava rock or LECA; unfortunately, as a grad student I really don't have the time to water everyday.

[Leafmite]

I don't water the Phals every day but I do see your point. I think my daughter was accustomed to the broken down medium of her Phals and when I switched the medium over to LECA during the summer, her twice-a-month watering when college started again might have led to the one's road to failure. She just sent the one Phal home as it was doing poorly.

[Reeses]

Oh yeah, that would lead to trouble for sure! I was like that in undergrad--I was so paranoid about overwatering that I dehydrated the poor thing! Ah well, live some, learn some. Now I water around once a week, and they seem to be liking that much better

[Leafmite]

She is in Pharmacy school and very active in professional organizations and volunteering. Fortunately, it was not suffering too badly and will be fine. It is one of those very tough noID big box store Phals.

[mtorchid]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I use LECA now as my main medium and every new orchid that isn't mounted goes directly into it. I really like LECA as the old roots just keep growing after the re-potting. Even the orchids with fussy roots don't mind being re-potted into it.

I agree Leafmite, - if it can't be mounted like nature intended, LECA is the next best thing. The great thing about it is that it doesn't decompose. (Although, in a S/H environment, it can build up fertilizer salts/solids if not flushed thoroughly and regularly).

Imagine what the repotted roots in bark medium must think - periodically having their "tree" yanked away and then plunked down onto a new one!

---------- Post added at 05:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:12 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Reeses

I'm intrigued with LECA as a medium, too. I bought a big bag of it that I've been mixing into the moss and bark to break it up some. I currently have two in S/H a large paph seedling that is doing okay (not really growing much but not dead) and a mini phal that I'm trying to acclimate to S/H. I love the idea of potting in solely lava rock or LECA; unfortunately, as a grad student I really don't have the time to water everyday.

Reeses, are you combining LECA, moss and bark into a S/H environment??

[silken]

My orchids love being potted and re-potted into bark It all depends on your environment. I don't let the bark break down to a rotted mess and I wait until new roots are developing before I re-pot. My pots overflow with roots!

[No-Pro-mwa]

I just got some so haven't use it yet. I am not yet ready to go to S/H as I have not exactly figured it out quiet. I am thinking of putting my large Phrag in it but still setting it in a pot of water like I have had it. I kind of wanted to try S/H with it but was not sure it would be as easy as letting it set in a saucer of water.

I only have to take my Phrags to the sink about once a week or so, they are my easy ones. I was not sure about S/H.