Blue-ish circular stuff on phal orchid roots ):

[TryingmyBest]

Hello,

I recently bought this orchid (first time orchid owner) and noticed that it had some powdery white mold on it. I then spritzed the roots with Listerine (as I read that hydrogen peroxide can damage the roots and that Listerine is a better alternative) and repotted it into a new pot with new medium from WilGrow. After a few days, I came back to this blue-ish stuff growing on the roots that are at the bottom and some had white stuff. I'm honestly at a loss on what I should do... Any advice is appreciated!!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Listerine contains alcohol, which may damage roots. Damaged or dead roots may be colonized by fungi that specialize in growing on dead plant material. That looks like what you have. Such fungi do not invade nor harm the living plant.

Most problems growing in a home are due to suboptimal growing conditions. Infections are not common, and usually due to suboptimal growing conditions.

Let your plant stay dry between waterings for a day or so. When dry the roots become silvery white. This will help control mold.

I would not use Listerine nor other alcohol formulations on roots.

What are your growing conditions? Phals. prefer being warm to hot, in full shade. Higher humidity is better, but hybrids tolerate lower humidity.

For more reading on Phals., click Forums in the left yellow menu. Then Beginners. Near the top is a sticky thread, The Phal. abuse stops here.

[TryingmyBest]

Thank you for your response!

It is currently by a window and has indirect sunlight. I tend to keep the room at a temp of around 22 degrees celsius. Would that temperature be too cold for the orchid?

Would you recommend using hydrogen peroxide then? As opposed to Listerine?

Thank you for directing me to more information about Phals.! I did not know that existed.

[estación seca]

22C / 72 F is acceptable for Phals. They will grow and dry out slower than they would if it were warmer. They may run into trouble when it gets much below 18C / 64 F for any length of time. They do best when it's routinely 25-35C and humid, but many people flower them just fine in typical home temperatures.

I wouldn't treat the roots with anything. That mold isn't harming the living plant. Regular drying between watering will limit mold growth. Hydrogen peroxide can also damage roots. A drop or two is sometimes used just in the crown if a Phal. gets crown rot, but that is not what your plant has.