Some root rot --- should I repot flowering moth orchid?

[connellybarnes]

Hi,

So I have a white moth orchid. I received it as a gift over a year ago. I am a first-time orchid owner.

Presently, there are aerial roots growing over the edge of the pot (see photo 1). What concerns me more, however, is that some of the roots appear to be rotted. A strong majority of the roots are green (see photo 2), but several appear to be brown and squishy which I read indicates rot (see photos 3 and 4 for examples of what I think is rot).

Photos (the forum unfortunately prevents me from making these into proper links or images due to being a new user, but you can copy and paste them into the browser URL bar to see):
connellybarnes.com/dump/orchid/orchid1.jpg
connellybarnes.com/dump/orchid/orchid2.jpg
connellybarnes.com/dump/orchid/orchid3.jpg
connellybarnes.com/dump/orchid/orchid4.jpg

Several websites indicated that I should repot the orchid due to the roots growing over the side and the suspicion of root rot. But my question is, since this orchid is flowering and has a few unopened buds, should I wait until the flowers drop off to do the repotting?

One additional question I have is that the orchid is in a clear plastic container that was originally placed in the gold container in the background of photo 1. The gold container does not have a hole in the bottom of it. Thus, when I water the orchid, the water drips through the plastic container and pools about 1/8" deep in the bottom of the gold container. Is this a problem, i.e. should I find an outer container that also has a hole in it? On the plus side this might increase humidity, but on the minus side it might contribute to mold.

Thanks for any thoughts you have!
Connelly

[jkofferdahl]

First, you don't need to rush to repot the plant but eventually you should. When you do, carefully trim the dead roots, using a sterile blade, then soak the remaining roots to make them pliable. However, as I said I don't think you need to rush into it.

Now, whomever told you that once a Phal's roots grow out of the pot you need to repot was simply wrong. Phals, as well as other orchids, produce plenty of aereal roots. Bear in mind that these plants naturally grow on tree limbs, and with roots every which way.

Finally, I think that the reason you have root rot in the first place is from too much water. It could be from sitting as you describe, or you could just be watering the plant too frequently. Phals need to dry out completely before rewatering. You can check the moisture by putting a wooden skewer into the pot then pulling it out a few minutes later; if there is a sign of moisture, don't water the plant. You can also get used to the weight of the pot so your hand will recognize when the plant is dry. I'd suggest not even putting the orchid back in the drainless gold pot.

Good luck!!

[connellybarnes]

Great, thanks for your thoughts!

I will leave the inner plastic pot out of the outer gold one (unless I decide to drill some holes in the gold one so it can drain). I will also check moisture level in the future to gauge whether to water.

Previously, I was watering based on the rule of "1 shot of warm water per week," which was written in the care manual for the plant. However, no orchid webpages online have suggested this but rather to determine watering based on moisture levels. So that does make more sense!

[Orchid Whisperer]

My rule on watering Phalaenopsis is when the medium is nearly dry, water until water floods through the medium and out the bottom. Don't water again until the medium is nearly dry again.

I can't see your photos right now, but I'm assuming it is in bark? Phals are usually happiest in bark, in my experience, but use what works for you. Some growers do use sphagnum moss successfully, which is often the medium they are grown in at the nursery/store. I also prefer old fashioned unglazed terracotta pots over plastic for Phalaenopsis and Cattleyas (again, use what works for you).

Although you don't have to repot now, you can if you want to. I don't buy Phalaenopsis often, but when I do get a new one I repot right away and the flowers don't miss a beat.

[estación seca]

First, Welcome to the Orchid Board!

There are two great threads here for beginning growers:

Using skewers to determine when to water

The Phal abuse ends here.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

My rule on watering Phalaenopsis is when the medium is nearly dry, water until water floods through the medium and out the bottom. Don't water again until the medium is nearly dry again.

I can't see your photos right now, but I'm assuming it is in bark? Phals are usually happiest in bark, in my experience, but use what works for you. Some growers do use sphagnum moss successfully, which is often the medium they are grown in at the nursery/store. I also prefer old fashioned unglazed terracotta pots over plastic for Phalaenopsis and Cattleyas (again, use what works for you).

Although you don't have to repot now, you can if you want to. I don't buy Phalaenopsis often, but when I do get a new one I repot right away and the flowers don't miss a beat.

I agree 100% with the importance of repotting ALL orchids you buy as soon as you get them home.

I am a it more sloppy in my other attitudes, but it hasn't cost me any phals yet.

I use a bigger shallow pot and I plant them in dry 2" bark, sieved to get all the small stuff out. I just clean off the old medium from the phal roots, and I plant it on one side on the pot so it leans towards the centre of the pot. I don't trim the roots, no matter how bad they are.
I leave it a day or two in the dry bark to allow any damaged roots to heal, and then I water as per normal. Three times a week in summer, once in the winter.

Using large bark you might have to water it more often, but you simply can't overwater it.