super stinky phalaenopsis roots

[kelb76]

I am new to orchids in the last several months. I had one that just completely died and another that lost its petals. I figured it was dormant (how long do they go between blooms? I've been waiting a long time). I don't water them often, so I don't think I've overwatered. I usually toss an ice cube every 3 weeks. The pot it was in was very narrow and I decided to repot it in a wide pot. I noticed the new stem started to yellow and the main stem has spots. When I took it out to repot it the smell almost knocked me over. It was potted with mostly dirt and it was completely saturated. There was no drainage in that pot so it's been sitting in water. I potted it with an orchid mix in a larger pot. Is it salvageable? I'm hoping being in a new home with drainage will help it, but after smelling that I fear it's got a disease. should I hold out hope or be prepared to say farewell.

[Tschimm]

Welcome to the forum !
Good you repotted! Sounds you had quite a bit of rot in the old pot...
Hope the plant will recover

There is a thread in the beginner section called 'the phal abuse ends here' with plenty of information.

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't know if your orchid is save-able - sounds like it may be too far gone, but it doesn't hurt to try. And, if it doesn't make it, you can get another and try again. It took me a long while to be able to keep Phals alive for very long

[Orchid Whisperer]

kelb76:

As recommended, please read The Phal abuse ends here.. I would read this before investing in more Phalaenopsis orchids. Another worthy link: https://www.aos.org/Default.aspx?id=204

Phalaenopsis should be potted in coarse, well-drained medium, such as orchid bark. Use the smallest pot you can get the roots into (if you have zero roots, try a 4-inch diameter pot; no larger). Pot type (plastic or terracotta) is a personal choice, but I find that Phals do best in terracotta - super healthy roots because the terracotta drains so well. I don't care at all that I can't see the roots.

When you water, skip the ice cubes. Instead, take the plant to the sink, water just the medium (bark), run lots of water through the bark. Don't water again until the medium is nearly dry (most likely this will mean watering once or twice a week).

The bad smell with your current plant is a bad sign. If it does die, learn as much as possible from this web site and others, then go get yourself another plant and try again.

Good luck!

[estación seca]

Many people say Phalaenopsis are easy to grow. I don't think so. They're easy to grow when you really know what you are doing.

[bil]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Many people say Phalaenopsis are easy to grow. I don't think so. They're easy to grow when you really know what you are doing.

As epiphytes, they have to be as hard as nails, and as long as you give them what they want, as you say, they are very easy plants.

1. Enough light, but never too much.
2. A substrate that allows fast, easy transit of water and air.
3. A wide, shallow pot that allows the roots to spread out, but not too deep. I use 35cm diam and about 10 deep
4. Regular watering with RO water plus ultra weak fertiliser as the season requires.

[turock]

I spent a few years learning orchid culture by torturing my poor phals, and to date, I've only lost one. That's not a testament to my care, but to the toughness of these plants. I had one sit in stagnant water for weeks until its roots stunk like a sewer. But I learned from this forum and other sources, repotted it, and the plant is alive and blooming today. Your orchid's chance of recovery has a lot to do with how quickly you respond, how well you treat it while it recovers, what season it is, and the genetics of the plant. I wish you the best! Learn, and get another if this one doesn't make it.


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[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by turock

I . . . I had one sit in stagnant water for weeks until its roots stunk like a sewer. But I learned from this forum and other sources, repotted it, and the plant is alive and blooming today. . . .

It's good to know plants can recover from the "stinky roots" problem. This has happened occasionally to me in the past; I have not been as successful as you regarding rehabilitation of the stinky-root plants affected by this problem.

Do you recall doing anything special to promote recovery?

[turock]

A lot of my luck was the fact that this happened in spring and my plant had several warm, humid months to promote new growth. Other than that, I was careful to cut off all squishy roots, soaked the ones that were left in hydrogen peroxide for a few minutes, then kept the plant fairly dry for a while. It was outdoors at the time, too, which helped. Nature is an amazing healer!


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