What to do with Aerangis biloba with no roots left from rot? - Orchid Board

entropy82 · #1 01-05-2009, 07:42 PM

I have a A. biloba that was purchased and then received in terrible shape. extreme root rot - none where green. i cut them out, physaned and repotted in sphag fine bark mix. keep it misted/moist. it has no roots, not loosing any leaves, nor growing them. the rot was so bad it started to enter the basal area. So, what do i do next, now that i have no roots?:scratchhead

kiki-do · #2 01-05-2009, 07:56 PM

That's awful! I'm so sorry to hear that. First I would contact the place of purchase and report this. They should replace your plant. Second, I would try a root hormone on it, and place it in pure moss and keep it misted/moist. You will most likely lose it, but there is always a slight chance that some miracle might happen. Out of about seven times trying this method on my plants with rotten roots, only one survived. But it did survive and it took months!

entropy82 · #3 01-05-2009, 08:29 PM

KIKI- thanks for the quick advice.
i purchased five totally different orchids from J&L and they all had so much root rot. I trimmed, repotted, and have gibven TLC but lost a Phal. stuartiana and now close to losing this A. biloba. I contacted J&L but they said too much time had lapsed. Needless to say I took my business to Oak Hill.

Ross · #4 01-05-2009, 09:04 PM

If you have a large tank (I hope you do if you want success with Aerangis

) then you can just tie it onto a strong support (I use cedar planks) with 6 pound monofiliment fish line. Given proper moisture, lots of fertilizer dunkings and some KLN in between, it will start developing new roots. Keep up the regular mistings (get the picture here? You need to have a good setup to do well with Angraecoides).

Ross · #5 01-05-2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by entropy82

KIKI- thanks for the quick advice.
i purchased five totally different orchids from J&L and they all had so much root rot. I trimmed, repotted, and have gibven TLC but lost a Phal. stuartiana and now close to losing this A. biloba. I contacted J&L but they said too much time had lapsed. Needless to say I took my business to Oak Hill.

I don't believe this to be a company-related issue so much as how you are able to grow these guys. Did you do any checking into cultural requirements? Including humidity? Angraecoides are probably the most slandered genera because they have a particular need - high humidity. It's real easy to blame a vendor (not that you are doing that here) but before one goes into a new genera, be sure you can grow them. Angraecoides demand (get that -demand) high humidity. The higher, the better. I have had best luck with consistent blooms at 90%+ humidity. That won't happen with most window-sills or widow environments. Even greenhouses are hard pressed to provide this level of moisture. If you want to grow Angraecoides, set up a tank. It's that simple. Or run your shower full blast 24/7!