Help! With root problems, repot, newbie and Phals Just add ice

[Cutiedeer]

Please help me identify what roots need to be snipped with sterilized scissors and what can stay; what problems I have (?fungus, root rot, etc ) and how to treat. I have had most of these for a few months, bought on clearance for $1 each. I have known that I need to report but the first bag of miracle grow orchid mix was full of gnats. I know they are Phals and particularly sold by the JAI. I have finally got around to buying a miracle grow orchid bark bag that is not full of gnats. I plan to sterilize the pots today in a mix of dilute bleach water. I have new 6 in (slightly shallower) clear pots/liners to report them to, but they won't fit any sturdy pots (clay etc they came in). I have lost two already, a few weeks ago. The leaves started getting a circular mosaic spreading yellow pattern on them and I haven't found any pics online that look quite like that. I read cinnamon was good for fungus so I put that on any cuts, and the top level of roots where there was a bit of very tiny white fuzzy stuff. Yes, I now know I probably aided their swift death. I had a few orchids years ago that got a mealy bug infestation. I want to do well to these six guys left. I have read about Physan- and there are some other treatments I've seen (dilute bleach and soap mix, listerine) but I don't know how and when to do them. Last night I just picked out all the moss packed super tight in 4, and some light bark in two. All came from same store I work at. Some were labeled waterfall if that means anything. So, last night, I picked out the medium, ran them under room temp tap water for 15 seconds, and am letting them "air out until I repot tonight. I am also soaking the bag of orchid mix. I have some miracle grow acid loving fertilizer- how and when should I apply this after repot? Thank you so much for all your help. Sincerely, newbie trying to keep them alive.

[No-Pro-mwa]

You should read ( The phal abuse ends hear ) it is a sticky and it is right above your post. I'm not so good on the computer so I don't know how to link it on here. I am not familiar with the Miracle Gro orchid mix but hopefully it is bark and doesn't have soil in it. If it does take that out and just use the bark pieces. Don't put cinnamon on the roots as it will dry them out. If the are mushy then just cut them off or I sometimes just pull off the outside and leave the hair like strands to help anchor the plant. Also don't use the miracide fertilizer as it is to much nitrogen. Get one for orchids then use it very diluted. I'll be pulling for you and also after you have 5 posts you can post pictures which really helps.

Welcome to the forum. Oh and you don't have to read the whole thing as it is long but the first few pages is very helpful.

[rbarata]

Welcome, Cutiedeer

Some pics would be of tremendous help to us.
You'll need to post 5 times before allowed to post pictures.
Sugestion: create a thread presenting yourself to reach the required posts.

[wintergirl]

Welcome to OrchidBoard

Here is a link to the thread Shannon was talking about:

The Phal abuse ends here.

[silken]

Welcome. You've been given good advice so good luck.

[Orchid Whisperer]

First thing, slow W A Y down.

Throwing every chemical or concoction of bleach, Physan, soap, alcohol, kelp, cinnamon, etc. at your plants will not suddenly make them healthy.

If you want healthy orchids, you need to provide good basic culture first, last, and foremost. Basic culture centers around a balance of proper light, proper water management, and air movement (including air movement/aeration at the roots). It sounds like you may have other issues related to diseases going on too, and it is important to address those also.

First - at a dollar each, I would immediately toss the plant that had the circular mosaic on the leaves. If it is showing only on old bottom leaves, it could be just a fungus, but if it is showing on green leaves, it is possibly a virus - a fatal disease that could kill all of your orchids. With cheap plants, IMO not worth testing for virus. Just discard.

Second - roots and plant cleaning. Take a plant, remove from the pot and potting medium. Feel each root. Any that are firm, assume they are OK. Healthy roots may be green, silvery, white, or yellow, sometimes light brown. Any that are papery, mushy, soft or black are probably bad, and assuming you have some good roots, the bad ones should be cut off. While the plant is bare root, wash off the roots, and use a few drops of dish soap in a cup of water and a soft brush (old soft tooth brush, or paint brush) to wash all of the surfaces, nooks and crannies of the leaves. Rinse with plain water after.

After cleaning, repot into a fresh clean pot with good drainage holes. I recommend bark potting medium, DRY. After repotting, DO NOT WATER for at least a few days, keep the plant shaded. The dry period allows damaged tissues to dry and heal before exposing them to water again. When you resume watering, do so at the sink, flood water through the bark, let it drain. Don't water again until the bark is nearly dry. Water the same way each time. Keep water off the leaves if possible and don't mist the leaves.

I have not mentioned anything yet regarding fertilizer or other additives. I would wait until the plant seems stable (not getting worse) before using these. Two would be worthwhile. (1) A root stimulant such as kelp extract, used as directed. (2) a general purpose, balanced water-soluble fertilizer used at 1/4 recommended strength once or twice a month.

[Cutiedeer]

Thank you No-pro MWA

---------- Post added at 08:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:25 PM ----------

Thank you Wintergirl

---------- Post added at 08:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:25 PM ----------

Thank you Orchid Whisperer. It isn't my intent to throw every concoction at them- but mostly wanting to know if I should use something special to clean them and the roots.
I did toss out the two that had the circular growing yellow spots. Well, first i isolated them until i saw they were definitely dying. Then I tossed them in the outdoor trash. So far none of the others have had a similar appearance, but a few have had the lower leaves turn yellow, which I read was ok somewhere.

---------- Post added at 08:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:28 PM ----------

Also, they were in decent appearance, not worse than the other orchids in the grocery store. I work in a clinic in the store. The florist sets them aside for me if she thinks they are good but have some flaw that isn't fatal.

---------- Post added at 08:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 PM ----------

thank you silken

---------- Post added at 08:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:30 PM ----------

rbarata- I have tried numerous times to post several pics. I didn't know I needed to post to so many threads first. Off to do that now.

[silken]

Tips for posting Photos

Here is a sticky thread on posting photos.

[Cutiedeer]

Originally Posted by silken

Tips for posting Photos

Here is a sticky thread on posting photos.

Thank you!