Snapped of a new root growth while potting

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by LadySoren

Speaking of broken roots--

Say you have a root that is nice and green the whole way down, but here and there, it is broken and you can see that string in the middle. Cut or keep?
I kept this time bc the one that isn't doing well had a bunch of those and I cut them all bc I thought that any roots showing the string will die.
Some I saw were rotten in spots but green further down. Are they still useful to the plant?
These are on like all of my phals.
(Of course the one in question had those all chopped like I said)

If the root is firm ( not rotted, not desiccated) don't cut it off - a new grow tip can start further up the root.

[LadySoren]

What is desiccated?

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by LadySoren

What is desiccated?

Shriveled, dried out

[james mickelso]

MY Lady, The roots you see on your plant have two parts. The outside is covered in a material called velamen which is a spongy water absorbing material. The inner part in the actual root and looks like a thin wire. the root can have multiple breaks along it's length and still function. I used to have a picture of a dead looking shriveled root with a new white root growing from it. So be careful cutting off roots. Mushy gray or black roots can be cut back to solid gray or white material then dab some cinnamon on the end with a Q-Tip.

[LadySoren]

Thank you for the explanation. I accidentally butchered one of my first orchids because I thought they were all dying roots. This time I left anything with any green unless it was really rotten for half of it, but I hardly cut any roots at all and I repotted about 5 orchids that day. I was scared to cut any after what I did to that other one. Lol

Luckily, even that sad one is looking happy in its new arrangement. I am so relieved. I know it's leaves won't lose that shriveled look, but I am surprised to see them not so floppy, but gaining firmness once again. I didn't think it was possible.

[Island Girl]

Yep, James's description is spot-on ...and all I have to add, is a link to the picture/thread he was referencing... (I save certain links (good, to the point, clear info, esp when there's pics) for newbies, as well as anything else I, or someone else might find useful and/or interesting, lol ) & this is a good one: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...y-careful.html

[LadySoren]

Awesome. That was very helpful!

[james mickelso]

Thank you Mary Linn. I lost everything when the HD went kaput.