Black roots/root tips on Laelia Dayana. :(

[Vovo]

Hello, I've bought this laelia 3 months ago, and I've noticed something weird. Its roots are black, and root tips also, but when you cut into the root it's full of substance.
The roots affected wont grow, and if the root starts branching out - the new tip goes black over night.
I've tested for fusarium - not the case.
No idea what could it be, please help.
The orchid is putting out new growths but wihout roots.
(also I didn't fertilize so It couldn't be burned)

[SouthPark]

Vovo ..... issues like that are generally linked to the conditions the orchid is exposed to ..... such as media type, watering method, temperature, drying rate of roots and media, air movement etc. If you describe adequately the growing conditions, then it might be possible to help cut down on chances of issues.

For now ... allow the roots to dry a bit. And provide warm comfortable temperature. Have you got good quality coarse bark media for orchids and excellent drainage pot? Or scoria/lava rock media?

[Vovo]

The conditions : 70% humidity, 25-27°c during day, 22°c during night, air movement is provided with a fan.
The media is Leca with sphagnum and pine bark. (50%25%25%)
The pot has holes for air circulation and is transparent.

[SouthPark]

Sounds quite satisfactory with temperature and air movement there. Were the roots long at one stage? Any chance that the media and roots were very wet for long periods of time?

[Vovo]

When I got the plant, it was potted in pure sphagnum,
and the roots were the same as now. There was a few dead papery roots there. They might have overwatered it in the nursery, since it was potted in sphagnum.
If that is the case, how can I help the plant? Any chances that the new roots from the new pseudo-bulbs will be healthy?

[aliceinwl]

It can take a plant a bit to adjust to changes in growing conditions and substrate. I think it’s likely that new roots would be fine. If you can find a kelp based root stimulant, you might be able to jumpstart root growth. I’ve had good results with Kelpmax, but I’m not sure about its international availability.

[Vovo]

Okay, thanks alot. I'll try to order the root stimulator.
Thanks for the help.

[SouthPark]

vovo - also, for future purposes only --- also take a look into Ezi-root gel.

---------- Post added at 05:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:17 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Vovo

When I got the plant, it was potted in pure sphagnum, and the roots were the same as now. There was a few dead papery roots there. They might have overwatered it in the nursery, since it was potted in sphagnum.

If that is the case, how can I help the plant? Any chances that the new roots from the new pseudo-bulbs will be healthy?

The nice thing is that the plant still looks ok up top. To help it along, one nice method is to grab some scoria (lava rock) ----- that's if you have it. Perhaps 5 mm (relatively small) scoria pieces, if possible.

And pot this orchid into the scoria (and using a very good drainage pot).

Then ----- when you water --- use a method that allows you to water the regions away from orchid quite heavily (eg. water the media toward the sides of the pot heavily). This make the media (away from the orchid) quite wet. You can also spray some water (but don't overdo it) into the media closer to the plant.

Maintain good temperature range and recommended lighting levels, and adequate air-flow. And also keep the media slightly moist with your watering method. And this orchid should take off (grow) nicely again - ie. develop roots etc.

If you can get that kelpmax or ezi-root gel ---- then it should help kick-start it more.