Is this root rot or a bacterial infection or bugs or all three?

[SouthPark]

elaerna - for Houston, one possible method you can try - which is what I do for pretty much all my orchids in my tropical region ..... is conveyed in the attached image that I drew for you.

The image does show water being added in some band of your own choosing out toward the rim of the pot. The chosen band is up to the grower .... eg. could choose a band that is say one-quarter of the pot diameter. Or even one-third the pot diameter. It doesn't mean that we necessarily must add water down the sides of the pot only. Some water can certainly be added toward the middle for sure ------ but not as much.

The aim is to just not get the bulk of the roots and media overly wet or too moist for relatively long periods of time - to avoid roots not getting enough oxygen.

The other thing is ----- when roots do eventually reach those particular regions that are very wet ----- because roots do certainly grow and get longer and longer ----- those roots are expected to get 'used to' or adapt to those more watery conditions (such as at sides of pot, or down toward the middle and bottom of the pot).

If you choose a relatively shallow pot with airy media, then you could probably just water your orchid anywhere you want.

In any case --- you just have to keep the conditions in among the roots under control ----- don't allow the roots of classic-potted orchids to have their roots overly wet for relatively long periods of time - to cut down on issues like running out of oxygen (even though eventually, some roots will adapt to more watery conditions, as mentioned).

The method shown is optional. There are many methods of potting and watering.

[elaerna]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

It measures the humidity in the room. Please read the link DrDawn sent you, it contains a wealth of information you will need

The culture sheet? I did read that. In particular about watering though it feels generalized.

---------- Post added at 03:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------

Originally Posted by SouthPark

elaerna - for Houston, one possible method you can try - which is what I do for pretty much all my orchids in my tropical region ..... is conveyed in the attached image that I drew for you.

The image does show water being added in some band of your own choosing out toward the rim of the pot. The chosen band is up to the grower .... eg. could choose a band that is say one-quarter of the pot diameter. Or even one-third the pot diameter. It doesn't mean that we necessarily must add water down the sides of the pot only. Some water can certainly be added toward the middle for sure ------ but not as much.

The aim is to just not get the bulk of the roots and media overly wet or too moist for relatively long periods of time - to avoid roots not getting enough oxygen.

The other thing is ----- when roots do eventually reach those particular regions that are very wet ----- because roots do certainly grow and get longer and longer ----- those roots are expected to get 'used to' or adapt to those more watery conditions (such as at sides of pot, or down toward the middle and bottom of the pot).

If you choose a relatively shallow pot with airy media, then you could probably just water your orchid anywhere you want.

In any case --- you just have to keep the conditions in among the roots under control ----- don't allow the roots of classic-potted orchids to have their roots overly wet for relatively long periods of time - to cut down on issues like running out of oxygen (even though eventually, some roots will adapt to more watery conditions, as mentioned).

The method shown is optional. There are many methods of potting and watering.

Oh my goodness what a detailed picture; thank you very much! When you say band do you mean a literal barrier between the two different kinds of media? And where would I get a tray like this that is divided? Or would I make it and if so what would I make it out of?

[Dollythehun]

You're looking for "The Phal Abuse Stops Here." It should be a permanent sticky note.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by elaerna

When you say band do you mean a literal barrier between the two different kinds of media? And where would I get a tray like this that is divided? Or would I make it and if so what would I make it out of?

Most welcome elaerna. Not literally a barrier. The meaning is to just add most of the water down toward the sides of the pot, rather than dump water down toward the middle of the pot, to avoid water bundling too much directly under the orchid (where the bulk of the roots will be - but there are always exceptions obviously ----- so this is just in general).

Shallow pots is probably no problem. But I mainly use deep pots here.

The egg-crate grates can often be purchased from some hardware stores. The drainage grates are just optional ----- but just happen to be very convenient and workable. If another item can be used to do the same job, then that's fine.

Even those 'separators' or spacers in the drawing are optional. If the water can just spread around the drainage grate without needing spacers, then no need for spacers. The grate just prevents the bottom of the plastic pot (where the holes are) from sitting in collected water.

Using one average sized media is ok too! Not necessary to use more than one average size. The big pieces just helps with drainage down the bottom, that's all. But not compulsory!

[elaerna]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

You're looking for "The Phal Abuse Stops Here." It should be a permanent sticky note.

Oh I think that might have been from someone else but yes I've been reading through that thread, thank you.

---------- Post added at 05:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:26 PM ----------

Originally Posted by SouthPark

The egg-crate grates can often be purchased from some hardware stores. The drainage grates are just optional ----- but just happen to be very convenient and workable. If another item can be used to do the same job, then that's fine.

Robot Check

Is this similar to the egg crate grates you're speaking of? But it doesn't sound like they're absolutely necessary just if I feel like the roots are getting too soggy.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by elaerna

Is this similar to the egg crate grates you're speaking of? But it doesn't sound like they're absolutely necessary just if I feel like the roots are getting too soggy.

They are the ones elaerna. The ones I use are just smaller, but there are various sizes. Mine are "Holman 150 x 150mm D Square Grate", where I just push out the drainage grate, and don't need the other part, which is somewhat a waste - but that's all I had been able to find, and those square grates serve my purposes well.

These items are all optional. They have their own purposes. Just include as needed.

The roots should generally be lightly moist only. Not overly wet. And sometimes - even allowing the media and roots to dry out temporarily (not for too long) can help cut down on unwanted activity happening inside the pot.

[elaerna]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

They are the ones elaerna. The ones I use are just smaller, but there are various sizes. Mine are "Holman 150 x 150mm D Square Grate", where I just push out the drainage grate, and don't need the other part, which is somewhat a waste - but that's all I had been able to find, and those square grates serve my purposes well.

Ah I see so you can use anything that creates some space underneath the pot. The point is just to create more circulation underneath where the drainage holes are.

[Roberta]

I have used that egg crate stuff a lot to separate the plant from the pan that catches the drips. I have seen suggestion of using a tray of pebbles to provide surface area for humidity, but I was never able to get them flat - so pot unstable. The egg crate gives a nice flat surface, the pan or tray under the plant can then hold more water (providing humidity for longer) It is really easy to make a piece of the egg crate in the size you want - I just break the plastic along a line, using a long-nosed pliers. The sheets of egg crate come from the light fixture department of your favorite home improvement store ( like Home Depot or Lowes)

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by elaerna

Ah I see so you can use anything that creates some space underneath the pot. The point is just to create more circulation underneath where the drainage holes are.

The drainage grates are quite good for that purpose. I use these with pot dishes. The drainage grates do not block the drainage holes of certain kinds of pots (with holes flat along the bottom of some pots). The pot dish is for indoor areas, or places where we don't want water to get onto the floor.

With pot dishes, the drainage grate is often thick enough to keep the bottom of the pot above the water level of collected water (collected by the dish). Usually it's best to not allow the pot to sit in any water.

Also - if the particular kind of drainage grate doesn't allow water to easily escape each little square-cell (due to the grate sitting flat on the bottom of a pot dish), then using spacers can help .... spacers sandwiched between the surface of the dish and the bottom of the pot.

For outdoor growing areas - or bush-houses etc, there's the same idea except up-scaled in size and material ----- such as orchid benches with their surface/tops being corrosion resistant sturdy metal grills, where water coming out the pots can just pass through the grill and maybe onto the floor of the bush-house/green-house.

[elaerna]

Okay so then the egg crate allows to create some space between the bottom of the pot to allow for water drainage, and then the dish underneath the crate allows for some moisture to collect and provide humidity.