can an orchid survive from root rot? - Orchid Board

babydolwv · #1 10-08-2006, 12:26 PM

hello,
ok my husband got me an moth orchid for mothers day... then a few wks later we had to move and i had no where to keep it in my house so my mother offered to keep it...well now that we have a place to put it... i went to trim the dead stems off so that it would not pull the nutrients from the plant and the top of the pant (right under the leaves) just fell off... was all black..so i let it be for a while figured she just watered it to much.... and just new it had root rot, but thought there might be a way that i can maybe revive it.... so today i pulled it out of the pot to examine it... some of the roots were black and dead, BUT alot of them were white and green and looked good...so i proceeded to put off the dead roots and repot it babk in the pot and see if i could find out if it was worth my time to try or if i should just give up??? please any advice would help.... and would really appericate it.

justatypn · #2 10-08-2006, 08:32 PM

Yes, remove all of the roots that are "empty and gray inside". This is root rot and it is good that you discovered it. You should repot the plant in fresh orchid mix. You may need a smaller pot due to the reduction in root mass. Usually root loss is the result of a mix that is kept wet too long or not airy enough. I would hope soon that you have new leaves starting. If so, new roots should follow close behind. Repotting in fresh bark might save it, but the outcome might be surprising. Do you have a photo to share, this might narrow it down. Hope this helps...gl

Tindomul · #3 10-08-2006, 09:06 PM

I have saved two Catts from root rot. Have never, thankfully, had the oportunity to save a phal from root rot, but I assume its just as possible. I would get some rooting hormone K-L-N. That stuff is a miracle worker!!

babydolwv · #4 10-08-2006, 11:35 PM

I will take a picture of it tomorrow and show you all... i was a bit worried because the part that fell off was all black as well as the part coming off the roots.... should i try and get some of the black off the part growing from the roots?? or just let it be... right now i just repotted it in the old potting stuff cause i dont have any other at the time, but i did notice it was fairly packed in there where my mother watered it so much so i loosened it a bit and cleaned off what i could of the dead roots.... thanks for the reply.. i will get it out of the pot and try and get a pic of it...

babydolwv · #5 10-08-2006, 11:43 PM

also.. i am gonna call around to the different flower shops and see where i can find the best stuff to replant it in...... thanks again for all the info.. i really appericate it... hopefully i can nurse it back to health...keeping my fingers crossed!

babydolwv · #6 10-09-2006, 12:06 PM

do u see y i was a bit worried about it?

Tony · #7 10-09-2006, 12:52 PM

That looks pretty rough, I think the Sphag and Bag method is your best chance to save it.

Tindomul · #8 10-09-2006, 06:51 PM

I agree.

babydolwv · #9 10-09-2006, 07:36 PM

yeah...when i started messing with it i thought there was no chance.... so hoping i can bring it bk....so what is the Sphag and Bag method??? i will try anything at this point

Tony · #10 10-09-2006, 07:57 PM

Put a little damp sphagnum in a ziplock bag, put the plant on top of it, and seal it up. Put it someplace warm and shady then hope for the best.