I decided I needed more information to deal with my orchid situation. The best way to get more information is to buy more moth orchids! I bought 3 moth orchids for 3$ each at my local hardware store. They are small. I checked the roots on the first and the roots seemed good. The second I couldn't get out of the pot. The 3rd I noticed severe root trouble.
As for the 3rd I've cut away basically all the roots. I noticed that the bottom of the crown is black, as well as all the roots are dead. All the roots are yellow, black, or have been cut off at a higher point. There was two huge black spots in the roots, forming a ball of a sort. I also noticed the roots and moss were all dry except the black mass which was moist.
In short, 3 moth orchids and all three in distress on the leaves, like a bug eating part of the leaves, and cut marks. One has basically no roots, having trouble cutting the last of the roots. All 3 have moss as the substrate, and opaque pots! The crowns are all green, except the one with no roots, which the bottom of the crown is black.
As for my big orchid with the yellow crown, I bought a thermometer/moisture reader. The humidity level is 50% and the temp is 66 at night. I plan to take a good look at the roots, even though the roots were fine when I bought the big orchid. I saw at the hardware store they had a bark bag for $6. I didn't have any spare pots though. I need to buy some clear plastic pots for my three small orchids.
I'm just going to have to accept probably all four of these orchids will die within the next month, but I will learn a lot. What type of substrate do you recommend? Finally, what to do with a rootless orchid?
I took type pictures from my camcorder here's the images, you can also look on my profile:
I can also upload the original video to youtube and link if you want.
I just took a quick look at the bottom roots of my large phal and the roots are really healthy. The roots are ush green, the same color as the tip of the leaves. There were a few silvery looking roots though implying the roots aren't receiving an even distribution of water. Even the silvery looking roots put the wilted roots of the 3 new small phals to shame.
My conclusion is either A. Crown rot or B. root rot, but near the top and somehow the bottom roots aren't infected. From what I've seen of the root structure of the 3 new phals, that it would be impossible for all the bottom roots to look healthy if a serious root infection was near the top. Even the dried silvery roots on top of the substrate do not seem infected.
Hmmm, I just read about crown rot and found a post from Mehitabel saying:
"Crown rot happens easily with phals if any water gets into the crown during watering, especially if watering is in the evening or at night. You probably know that to prevent it, water in the morning, and blot up any water that gets into the crown with the rolled up corner of a paper napkin. But it's possible your friend didn't know, and allowed a little water to remain in the crown."
Ummm, well I did get a little bit of water in the crown a few weeks ago, I also watered three hours before dawn and didn't know the paper napkin trick. I thought a 1/20-1/10 of half a gallon of water in the crown would be okay. I just got sloppy and went on auto pilot and poured near the base like I would for pepper or tomato plant.
I just remembered the underside of my larger phal's leaves are red. I'm not sure what that means, I noticed when looking at the roots.
Everyone here has killed their fairshare, and as sad as it is it's a good way to learn. Orchids are quite different than other plants, so there is a pretty steep learning curve. If you get more, I recommend you but from a reputable seller (like Hausserman's for example) so you're much more likey to have a very healthy plant to start with.
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