Bad potting mix - Orchid Board

Astronomical_Orchids · #1 03-23-2018, 11:44 PM

I got a new orchid to enjoy fresh blooms while my first grows a new stalk(one day). And after a week or so one of the leaves started drooping I googled leaf drooping and it said overwatering or under watering. I pulled it out of the container and I think I have the problem the bottling was incredibly dense ground up saw dust and that holds a lot of moisture. I'll post a picture I'm 90% sure it's suffering from root rot I pulled out the saw dust which was a challenge and am replanting it with the orchid mix I got for me first. I'm not sure what to do next. Please help. Also I don't think this was entirely my fault as I did not place the sawdust in it came with it.

Leafmite · #2 03-23-2018, 11:48 PM

One way to see if you have healthy roots is to set the orchid in a cup of clean water (leaves above the water) and soak for a few hours. Check to see if the roots have turned green. If they are green, they are alive.

Astronomical_Orchids · #3 03-23-2018, 11:49 PM

Thanks I just changed he mix if the pictures would help I highly doubt it was a good mix though.

AnonYMouse · #4 03-24-2018, 12:38 AM

Get some kelp supplement (Ray has a sale going on) and soak.

You can keep it bare root until new roots emerge (ideal time to repot). Water roots daily, feed it according to your schedule, dry in between.

If you do repot, mind your watering. Your plant will have to adjust to new media.

Disclaimer: I do not get a kick back from Treat Your Plants Right! - First Rays LLC but it's good stuff.

estación seca · #5 03-24-2018, 03:59 AM

Sawdust? Looks to me like sphagnum moss.

Subrosa · #6 03-24-2018, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

Sawdust? Looks to me like sphagnum moss.

Definitely sphagnum. It's a very good component for a mix, and even to use by itself. For certain plants, under certain conditions of care. It stays too wet for most plants in my conditions, but for plants that like to stay wet it's great. Ask questions and get advice, but really this is one of those things you will have to figure out for yourself. Congrats on your first step!

Ray · #7 03-24-2018, 08:44 AM

Think of is aspect of orchid growing as a multi-variable equation seeking the same answer.

The variables are the potting medium properties, the pot properties, your growing conditions, and your personal propensity to "mess with" your plants. All of them, together, should lead to the correct "answer" of what's right for the particular plant.

Try reading THIS to get a greater feel for what I'm trying to convey. Subrosa is right, it may take some experimenting.

dounoharm · #8 03-24-2018, 09:52 AM

OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING! this is your justification to BUY A NEW ORCHID!! and this is how the rest of us became orchid collectors, lol....gl and have fun!

Astronomical_Orchids · #9 03-30-2018, 12:29 PM

lol it's doing a bit better, I watered it yesterday and the roots turned a bit yellow so I will wait longer before I water it again(they were previously green) I did the same to my other orchid and the leaves started drooping the mix looked and felt like incredibly stale chocolate cake the out side roots looked fine but when I tore out the cake (I'm just gonna call it cake) all the roots inside were yellow or dead, I got rid of the cake and put the orchid in with its mix(orchid mix) I am also going to complain to Home Depot about the mix as it had fluff on it I didn't think much but I looked it up and it's a water tight fungus it doesn't eat the plant put prevents it form getting water so I will be complaining and request an antifungal spray.