Yellow orchid roots

[Jenni929]

Leaves on phal were beginning to yellow so when I pulled it out of the pot I noticed the middle roots were like a sickly yellow with some black spots. In a panic I began to clip it all off and then saw a bit of the stem was yellow and black so I clipped tht off too. Most of it wasn't really mushy but pulled off the wiry inside easily. However when I was done I realized I was only left with 6 healthy green roots which were also closest to the top. I also peeled off the yellow leaves. I say peeled because they came off cleanly and roots above them had actually grown through them. It had new growth but it hadn't changed in a month and blooms and buds had fallen off. Did I do something wrong? And what do I do now?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Yes.

Most of the yellow roots you just cut off were most likely healthy. When I take most Phals or other orchids out of a pot, the roots that don't get much light are yellow.

Live and learn . . . if you are unsure what to do, ASK FIRST, then cut if needed.

---------- Post added at 08:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:37 PM ----------

As for what to do next, repot in new bark, clean pot. You can take some photos before repotting, post them here to solicit other opinions.

[No-Pro-mwa]

The only thing I will add is to make sure you don't pot it in to big of a pot. I have done this with one that didn't have to many roots and it took way to long for it to dry out so it was barely hanging on. I then re-potted it into a very small pot and it took off. It is doing really well now. The only draw back is it will have to be watered more because of the smaller pot.

[Jenni929]

If it was fine then how come all the leaves were turning yellow and blooms and buds were falling off? What should I have done instead?

[silken]

It may have been in shock from being transported or chilled etc. Often the roots are in a mass of moss and left soaking wet so it is not thriving. That may have also caused the leaves to turn yellow and buds and blooms to drop prematurely. I would cut the bloom spike down so it can concentrate on growth of roots and leaves. If the yellow roots were firm, they could have stayed. if totally hollow, they may have been dead but not rotten yet.

So now you could get some seaweed and use it for a few weeks when you water to try and stimulate new root growth. Make sure your media is open and allows the roots to drain well and to breath. Have good drainage holes in your pot. Water it well, but then allow it to completely drain and then almost dry out before watering again. Good luck with your Phal. They are quite hardy and it will likely start to grow once spring is here.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Originally Posted by Jenni929

If it was fine then how come all the leaves were turning yellow and blooms and buds were falling off? What should I have done instead?

Perhaps it was just time for them to come off. I re-read your top post and you say the new growth had not changed in a month so it could be it was done. Are the leaves nice and rigid or are they soft and wrinkling. A picture would help. Orchids grow pretty slowly at times. I will leave it at that as the others have given you good advice on what to do next.