Are the roots healthy?

[valerie7]

Hi I received a cymbidium a few days ago... It is one of the most beautiful plants I have ever seen - I'm loving the colors of the flowers, but am wondering about the health of the roots in general.

The roots on top look burnt - some have some green stuff on them, so I'm assuming fertilizer burnt them... although I could be wrong, I'm familiar with phalaenopsis orchids but not cymbidiums. These roots (on top) are dry to the touch; some are dry but hard, others are dry but soft.

The roots that were in the pot are my biggest concern. Some are mushy, and almost all of them have a brown tint to them. Very few are white and looking healthy to my novice eye.

I'm attaching pictures so you guys can see what I'm talking about. I would like to know what to do to avoid having the plant die. I am planning on removing all the mushy roots and repotting in a fresh mix. But what about the brownish roots? Is that normal ? What do I do with them if not? And the roots on top that look burnt, what should I do about those?

Oh and while I'm at it, I have a very sunny room with 6x9 ft windows on 3 walls (facing east, south and south-west). I've installed sheer curtains on all of them so that the sun doesn't burn the plants I put in that room. Would that be too much sun for my cymbidium?

Thank you