Repotting delayed for too long roots have rotted

[addictedcountryman]

Inspired by a friend to repot and also being on spring break, I decided to check in the root status of my orchids. The phals are doing well, but my cattleya and paphiopedilum's roots are not. After some sterlilization, cutting, and liberal dusting of cinnamon later, this is what is left.

I included a picture of the island they are on. I will also invest in a humidity tray. Getting back on track has been slow going and I'm learning all over again.

I'm on my phone, so attachments will be in the thread.

[addictedcountryman]

Lighting of where the plants are at.

[addictedcountryman]

Paph roots (that are left &#128547

[addictedcountryman]

These look good.

[jcec1]

Cinnamon is a dessicant and should not be applied to the roots. I would wash that off ASAP.

[reliablefool]

Aww, I'm sorry to hear/see that some of your orchids are struggling. Are the roots brown because of rot or because of cinnamon? I ask because cinnamon will dry the roots out and then you will have no good roots.

[addictedcountryman]

I put cinnamon on the ends to prevent further rotting. Newbie mistake?

---------- Post added at 03:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:21 PM ----------

They are brown because of decayed media.

[silken]

I agree. Cinnamon should never go on the roots. Only on leaf or pseudo bulb cuts. It might be helpful to soak your roots in some seaweed but first I would thoroughly rinse that cinnamon off ASAP.

[reliablefool]

I'm not sure about on the ends, but I would guess that it would at least cause a portion of the end of the root to dry out and die.

[bil]

OK, so the Catt's roots are shot. Not to worry, I reckon you can save it. I would pot it up in coarse bark. in a SHALLOW pot, ideally no deeper than 4 inches, and two would IMO be better. Maybe use soft rubber ties to hold it in place.

Then I would use RO water with VERY dilute fertiliser and kelp treatment a la Ray of firstrays, and mist it every day.

The idea is to encourage roots with the kelp while stopping it from drying out. VERY weak fertiliser, I use half Ray's dose if I am dealing with a problem plant and misting daily, - twice or 3 times if it is hot.

Put the pot in a well lit warm place, and with luck it will come back.

The Phal I would do the same with, the paph, no idea.

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