Black spots and root rot

[redwingirl]

All, please see my pictures for the challenge I'm having with my orchid. My parents sent me a lovely orchid from Hawaii. We believe it's an Oncidium (sp?). I went to re-pot the plant and noticed that it was suffering from root rot plus it had all these black spots on the leaves. Slowly but surely my leaves are turning yellow then brown. I did remove the dead roots with an exacto blade that was properly sanitized and sterilized, etc. I'm not sure what else to do at this point. Can my plant be saved?

[Leafmite]

Oncidiums are tough. All my early oncidiums were purchased with dead roots...they were among my early acquisitions and I would rescue them. I found that they recovered very quickly once I potted them in red lava rock (leca will do, too) and a clay pot. I watered when they were dry. You will likely need a stake (pencils, chopsticks work well, attached with a twistie) to keep the oncidium stable in the pot until the roots take over.
Many grow these in small pots and fine bark or sphagnum moss but I prefer the rock as once they get established, they expand quickly and I'm not so fond of repotting.

---------- Post added at 10:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 PM ----------

The spots tend to be normal for oncidiums, unfortunately. Good luck!

[euplusia]

Welcome to your first post here.
The loss of roots is more serious. Like many others I judge the health of orchids from the roots. You've done right to check the roots and repot.
The leaf disease is often a secondary symptom caused by malnutrition. It might disappear with a new lead when a new root system works properly.
In the meanwhile the plant will eventually throw off its leaves as a stress symptom to save energy. It must follow its growth cycle.
But as conditions are suitable it will recover. As long there is life, there is hope.

[Bud]

Relax, don't worry: your plant is alive and it will survive if you follow the Oncidium culture and care by reading older posts of the senior members.
This kind of orchid have fine roots and you have the right instinct to repot and check the situation of the plant.
It still has enough roots to sustain the plant.
The leaves of this kind of plant can have cold water droplets that reacts with sunlight even from a windowsill and make the black spots and marks that can be susceptible to bacteria or fungi. I wipe the leaves with paper towel if ever it gets sprayed from watering.

[redwingirl]

Thank you everyone!! I really appreciate the help!

Is there anything else I can do for the plant other than re-potting it in red lava? Should I be using a cinnamon paste or anything on the roots to stop any possible fungi or bacteria infection? If the plants are malnutritioned, can I do anything for that - some type of fertilizer, maybe?

[silken]

Your roots don't look infected or anything. Oncidiums frequently get these spots and I don't think there is much you can do. Mine get them even tho they are well fed and kept dry on the leaves. You could dip the roots in some hydrogen peroxide to disinfect but cinnamon will dessicate them further. It is usually just applied on a wound or where you cut a leaf. You likely won't get new roots from the existing pseudobulbs and will have to wait for a new growth which produce new roots. I would give it some SuperThrive when you water or use some seaweed in the water. These have hormones and will stimulate growth although its not going to happen real quickly either. I would put it in a very small pot for now in the media of you choice and try not to keep it too wet.

[Leafmite]

I wouldn't fertilize until there are established roots. Sometimes fertilizer salts can burn those tender new roots. I always just staked the oncidiums on top of the lava rock, then watered the rock to provide humidity. The heat of summer or a seedling mat will help it recover. I used the rock as I figured if there was rotting in bark or moss...it needed a faster draining medium. The important thing is to set the pot in a good place, then don't move it until the roots hold it in place. I always removed all the dead roots to give the new ones room to grow so staking it and not moving the pot were important. I rescued both rootless oncidiums after my plants were outside for the summer and would just set them in a bright-shade spot (edge of north-east-facing porch) and leave them alone for the summer (except for keeping the rock moist). By the end of summer, I had plenty of roots. I use the same technique for cattleyas. Good luck!

[silken]

I agree, I wouldn't fertilize it yet and staking is good. It helps it get established quicker. But still consider using the SuperThirve or seaweed. It is not a fertilizer, it is plant hormones that stimulate growth. don't over-use it tho, just as recommended on the package.