Root rot after SH to SH repot (phal)

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by Ray

When I repot, I flood the pot immediately. However, in cases where I have replaced the LECA, I let the exposed root system dry for a day before putting it back in the pot.

Do you do this to let any wounds callous? I ask because if I've had a violent unpotting (not my fault if the plants aren't willing to cooperate), I will let them dry out over a day or so before potting them. However, I do soak the roots in water for 10 mins or longer before placing them in the pot. Otherwise, it's snap fest.

But I'm confused as to why changing the LECA is a contributing factor for you. Wouldn't new LECA be as sterile as it gets even after prepping it?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by MateoinLosAngeles

But I'm confused as to why changing the LECA is a contributing factor for you. Wouldn't new LECA be as sterile as it gets even after prepping it?

If the plant has outgrown a smaller pot, I usually just plop it, LECA and root mass intact, into a larger pot and fill in around it. If, on the other hand, the plant has been in the same pot for more than a couple of years, I’ll want to extract the LECA and replace it with fresh material. That always leads to root damage, so that’s why I leave it out to dry and “callous over” the wounds. Applying a probiotic (in addition to Kelpak) when repotting also helps reduce issues.

LECA may not decompose, but it is not permanently sterile and clean. It builds up minerals and wastes and the pores can become clogged with biofilm, which can be caused by colonization by either good or bad microbes.