Phalenopsis trouble roots dying leaves withering

[Bobits]

Sorry to make my introduction so needy. I've never joined any sort of web forum but would love to participate in this one. I am passionate about my orchids but am just learning as I go...

I have a plant that has done really well the since I bought it-- it's flowered several times (only a handful of blooms each time though). The aerial roots were growing constantly and a new leaf occasionally. It was located in a north east window. I misted the roots several times per week and watered about once per week. I fertilized once per month. It is potted in bark.

After the last time in flowered, I figured repotting it would be a good idea. A couple of months prior to repotting, we had moved and there weren't any north east windows available. It was been in a south east window. After repotting I didn't notice any new growth and after a few months, all of a sudden the leaves started looking thin and wrinkled. I took it to a reputable nursery and about half of the roots had dried/died. The associate suggested that I should avoid watering from the tap directly and let the water sit to allow any chemicals to disappate (? Chlorine).

These roots were removed and the plant looked a bit better for about a week but now the leaves are looking poor and one has turned yellow. The one strange thing is that there is a healthy new root starting to emerge from the leaves currently...

I am so discouraged and feel it may be too late but wondered if someone had a suggestion?

[WhiteRabbit]

Fresh, new bark will dry very quickly compared to old bark. If you kept your watering frequency the same after repotting, ir may be under watered.

Search the forum for "skewer", also google "skewer method orchids" . I use skewers in my orchid pots to help me judge when to water.

I water directly from the tap ...

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

Leaving the water to stand to allow chlorine to dissipate is a good idea, though I've not heard of it causing the roots to rot before I don't do it and we have chlorine in the water, but I don't know how much compared to you.

Usually I would say that rotting roots is due to not enough air in the medium. Not enough air can be caused by medium staying too wet, or the medium being too dense, most often it's a combination of the two things. Water fills the small gaps in the medium and unless the medium dries out well between watering you can end up with not enough air getting to the roots. The denser the medium the less air can get in anyway, so the more likely this is to happen. This is why people often say rotting roots is due to over-watering (actually the roots can take more water, but need the air flow as well).

Anyway, as Sonya says new medium will dry quicker than older broken down medium. Also if it was re-potted in a more airy medium it may also dry quicker and need watering more often.

The skewer method Sonya suggests is a good one. I also use the method of clear pots and looking at the roots to see if they are green (moist) or silvery (dry). You can also see how damp the medium is looking through a clear pot.

Finally sometimes if there has been significant root loss it can just be a case that the plant has more leaves than it can support with the remaining ones. If that is the case the lowest (oldest) leaves may drop until it get's to a point it can support the leaves left. However getting the watering right as described above will help maximise the leaves it can support.

Take a look at this thread for more advise on Phals. It's a massive thread so don't try and read it all, but read the first few pages and you'll get a lot of good info.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

---------- Post added at 11:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 AM ----------

Just realised I've assumed it was a Phal (Phalaenopsis) orchid. There are a lot of other types of orchid, although the advise about the medium and watering should apply to all.

[Bobits]

Sonya and Rosie: Thanks so much for your responses. For some reason, I couldn't post a reply from my iPhone so I am logging in at work from my computer (bad girl!) I have taken into consideration both of your ideas. I think that too little water is the problem based on the new bark drying out more quickly. I suspect from what you've said that the lack of roots has contributed to one of the leaves dying off. I am now using the stir-stick method and thus watering more often and will let you know how it goes.

[Bobits]

Hi again... Wanted to update you. Two lower leaves turned yellow and were carefully removed. The rest of the plant of looking healthier. I continue to use the stick method to see whether she needs water and as a result am watering more frequently. There are a couple of new roots coming now ! :-)

I think one more leaf might go...


I'll keep ya posted :-)
Thanks again!

[Bobits]

This is what she looked like last time she flowered. I'm no photographer!

[Bobits]

Now up to a count of 5 new roots and a new leg coming. Progress!

[kindrag23]

Hurray! Its a beautiful phal congrats on that catch! Way to go welcome as you can see everyone is very nice on here and is willing to help however they can. I had issues with my iphone not posting as well.
Good luck, Good job, Good growing!

And remember orchiditis is very real and very capable of creating your one orchid into 250+ lol

[Orchidgirl83]

Yay I am glad your phal pulled through, and looks to be happy now.

[Optimist]

Two yellow leafs on the most lowest leaves usually are just old leaves dying off. Just allow them to die and fall off. I think you need a bit more sun. Othewise it looks nice. Some new roots coming out and a new baby leaf is a good thing. Summer in bark also may need more often watering.