paph with dead roots

[Mo Boggie]

Where did I go wrong? I purchased two paph seedlings in 2 inch pots a year ago, and watered them only every 2 weeks. I've killed multitudes of orchids by overwatering, so I waited longer in between watering. When I went to repot, I saw that the roots were soggy and rotten (orchids in fine bark). I cant win. Where did I go wrong? HELP! Any tips on a rescue mission? Thanks

[astrid]

Originally Posted by Mo Boggie

Where did I go wrong? I purchased two paph seedlings in 2 inch pots a year ago, and watered them only every 2 weeks. I've killed multitudes of orchids by overwatering, so I waited longer in between watering. When I went to repot, I saw that the roots were soggy and rotten (orchids in fine bark). I cant win. Where did I go wrong? HELP! Any tips on a rescue mission? Thanks

Seedlings are delicate and picky, and I don't feel ready to muss with them yet.

Well established plants can also be picky, but you have to know that paphs are semi-terrestrial and like some more water...

I could be wrong, but this is what I think happened:

You potted seedlings (which like more water and humidity) in a bark mix.
Additionally, you potted a paphiopedilum, which is semi-terrestrial, in a mix that might be better suited to an epiphytic orchid.

I have seen some videos where paph roots blacken when exposed to air- they like to be kept consistently moist but not soaking. When they are too airy, it seems that they will die off because this is not an ideal situation for them.

I keep my paphs in pure sphagnum moss. I am new to these guys, but I find that their roots are plenty happy packed in sphagnum! I water them when the sphagnum feels *almost* dry to the touch and then let them dry out again. This keeps up the consistent moisture without making the plant remain too wet, and everything is happy.

So I think you over-aired and under-watered roots which might have actually preferred to stay barely moist all the time and don't necessarily enjoy air flow surrounding them.

Again, I could be wrong, but this is what I think!

[WhiteRabbit]

Wow - I can't imagine 2" pots needing only to be watered every two weeks, much less that it could be too much water ... I wonder if the roots weren't rotted, but dehydrated and dead ? The pots weren't left standing in water, were they? How long had it been since you last watered when you looked at the roots?

You might want to use skewers to help you determine when to water http://www.orchidboard.com/community...hen-water.html

[silken]

I water my Paphs once a week and I am pretty sure that isn't always enough. They don't like to dry out. I think WhiteRabbit might be correct in suggesting the roots died from dehydration.

[Mo Boggie]

I will repot them in moss with a seaweed watering to help regrow roots. I usually only run water thru the orchid pots that have a bark mix for 1 minute(overwatering concerns). I may soak them for ten minutes once a month. wish me luck. Advice is always welcome! Thanks

[silken]

Originally Posted by Mo Boggie

I will repot them in moss with a seaweed watering to help regrow roots. I usually only run water thru the orchid pots that have a bark mix for 1 minute(overwatering concerns). I may soak them for ten minutes once a month. wish me luck. Advice is always welcome! Thanks

Using the skewer method can really help prevent over watering problems. I have a skewer in most of my orchid pots. Even when they appear dry, they are not always dry in the centre and bottom. And sometimes I think they should still be wet and they are bone dry. It removes any doubt as to what they are doing further down in the pot.

And yes, some seaweed might help.

[Mo Boggie]

Thanks so much for your advice.