Hello, new to orchidboard - Orchid Board

Nekko · #1 05-10-2015, 06:02 AM

Just wanted to introduce myself, and to say how much I love this site. I have read many helpful threads, and I appreciate the information very much, especially the Phal Abuse Stops Here.

I am new to orchids since retiring last year, at which time I received five phalenopsis orchids. I have since bought five more phals, and already lost two to root rot after repotting them, and now struggling to save two more with root rot. I have ordered KLN and hope to save the two almost rootless ones. I suppose this is part of learning about orchids.

Thank you for providing this orchid board arena. I look forward to reading and learning everything I can!

wintergirl · #2 05-10-2015, 09:37 AM

Welcome to Orchidboard!

Nekko · #3 05-10-2015, 10:09 AM

Thank you for your welcome!

bellini girl · #4 05-10-2015, 01:51 PM

Leafmite · #5 05-10-2015, 02:25 PM

Hello and welcome!
Root rot is caused by not enough air to the roots. Many orchids grow on trees, on rocks/cliffs or in the loose leaf litter of forests. If the medium isn't loose enough or stays too wet, not enough air gets to the roots. Some people solve this by using as small a pot as possible so that the medium dries quickly but you can also mount the orchid on wood, use pots with holes in the sides, or use a loose medium such as large bark, high grade NZ sphagnum moss, LECA, red lava rock, etc. to increase the amount of oxygen around the roots (or some other creative method). The medium's purpose is to stabilize the orchid and to maintain humidity in the air around the roots.
Good luck! Really great to have you join!

WhiteRabbit · #6 05-10-2015, 05:41 PM

lotis146 · #7 05-10-2015, 05:56 PM

Welcome to OB & to the wonderful world (addiction) of orchid growing. Leafmite has given some good information. What kind of medium did you repot your plants in? And were they rotted prior to repotting?

Nekko · #8 05-10-2015, 11:11 PM

Thank you for the welcome. I know I will learn a lot from you all!

---------- Post added at 07:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:13 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Hello and welcome!
Root rot is caused by not enough air to the roots. Many orchids grow on trees, on rocks/cliffs or in the loose leaf litter of forests. If the medium isn't loose enough or stays too wet, not enough air gets to the roots. Some people solve this by using as small a pot as possible so that the medium dries quickly but you can also mount the orchid on wood, use pots with holes in the sides, or use a loose medium such as large bark, high grade NZ sphagnum moss, LECA, red lava rock, etc. to increase the amount of oxygen around the roots (or some other creative method). The medium's purpose is to stabilize the orchid and to maintain humidity in the air around the roots.
Good luck! Really great to have you join!

Thank you, leaf mite, for your tips and welcome. For sure, I over potted the initial orchids, when I didn't know any better, which is why I got the root rot on those phals. I have since placed many holes into my clear pots with a heated awl, and have bought mixes from rePotme for phals which I have used. I have two that had severe root rot, and after cutting off the dead roots, they now have barely any left. I am waiting for the KLN to come in the mail.

---------- Post added at 08:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:49 PM ----------

I see all the nice people who responded to my initial post. I am confused as to how you respond to a particular post? i somehow got to respond to leaf mite, but I don't know how I did that, or how that happened. Sorry I'm so challenged.