Orchid roots

[taima]

Hi everyone,
Would you please take a look at my phal roots and see if they're healthy?
They're kind of white and not green as they should be.
Leafs seems good but the flowers are shrinking.

[Dollythehun]

Your picture doesn't open. Try again.

[taima]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Your picture doesn't open. Try again.

What about now?

[Dollythehun]

You are not watering enough. Cover your roots with medium and water more frequently. Others will be a long to add their opinion but, you can water, now.

[taima]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

You are not watering enough. Cover your roots with medium and water more frequently. Others will be a long to add their opinion but, you can water, now.

It's covered with medium, I just removed them to take the photo, I stick some toothpick in the pot body to check the medium humidity, and I water before they're dry.
Do you recommend to change the pot, as you can see it has too many holes in it.

[sapphirerose]

I had a similar problem with the skewer/toothpick method. My poor little orchid was looking crispy and my skewer still was a little cool.

Then I reread the skewer thread and realized that the skewer didn't need to be perfectly bone dry, which is what I was waiting to see, just almost dry.

Despite its wonders, the skewer method is still darn subjective, especially since I couldn't see or touch any of the example skewers. I could still feel a cool dampness, which got worse when the skewer started to blacken and stayed damp even longer.

I think I've worked it out now, but reread the skewer thread all the way through and see if it helps. I'm still a newbie myself.

[taima]

Originally Posted by sapphirerose

I had a similar problem with the skewer/toothpick method. My poor little orchid was looking crispy and my skewer still was a little cool.

Then I reread the skewer thread and realized that the skewer didn't need to be perfectly bone dry, which is what I was waiting to see, just almost dry.

Despite its wonders, the skewer method is still darn subjective, especially since I couldn't see or touch any of the example skewers. I could still feel a cool dampness, which got worse when the skewer started to blacken and stayed damp even longer.

I think I've worked it out now, but reread the skewer thread all the way through and see if it helps. I'm still a newbie myself.

Thanks for the hint, but I'm afraid of over watering too. I'm not sure what to do!

[Leafmite]

To see if the roots are healthy, take your Phal out of the medium and stick the roots in water and let them soak overnight (in a warm place). If they turn green, they are fine. Try not to get water in the crown when you do this.

The medium's purpose is to keep humid air around the roots. The air is important to prevent fungus issues that would rot the roots. I always had trouble with bark and so I use red lava rock. My two Phal bellinas seem happy with the medium. I make certain to soak the root zone of the Phals around five to ten minutes so the roots have a chance to absorb enough water.

[taima]

That's how the roots were about a month ago (before re-potting) :

uupload.ir/files/dnyd_orc3.jpg

They seemed healthy but weird color but I looked up in the internet and found out that white roots are consider as healthy roots so I went ahead with re-potting

[rbarata]

Usually I know when to water but for some of my orchids I'm still learning (stanhopea). So I use a technique that might be useful for you.

Find a similar pot and fill it with the same medium. When you water your orchid, water also the "empty" pot and place it approx in the same place.
When you have doubts put yor finger down in the "empty" pot medium and you'll know for sure.

This is great until you get the grip on watering.