Root life expectancy

[TylerK]

According to the Phyton 27 literature, it is both a fungicide and a bactericide and I have used it effectively to treat both. The link below is the Phyton technical bulletin which explains how to use to treat for both bacteria and fungi.

Phyton 27 for orchids

Tyler

[orchids3]

Has anyone checked the pH of the growing media or runoff? I find that a sure way to kill roots is to have pH too low - most orchid growers and a lot of experts I have read - say 5.8 to 6.2 is the right pH but frankly I have my best luck and least root loss at 6.8 to 7. Granular Dolomite Lime does the trick. Use 1 tsp per gal pot.

[MT-Phal]

Thanks for the info, guys. I made a new batch of fertilizer last night, and I estimate the ppm to be around 75. At one point I was using physan once a week, then I dropped off for a while thinking things were okay. I may go back to that routine, though if this is a bacterial/fungus issue it is different than one I've had in the past where my roots had lumps.

In this specific instance though, it is only one root and it seems okay for now... the mold is gone and the newer growth is still green, though looking sort of transparent. My other roots seem to be doing okay. I wish I had a way of testing PH, but unless someone else here lives in Sherman Oaks, CA and can tell me I'm out of luck at the moment.

[orchids3]

pH test meters are ok but have to be calibrated - mine failed after a couple of years and it was a good one. A pH test kit for aquarium water is what I use now. It is inexpensive and the results are satisfactory. You really need to check and adjust pH.
You can detect things like media breakdown, and excessive high and low pH.
The best uptake of nutrients occours around the pH of 7. If pH is too much higher or too much lower - the plant cannot uptake some of the nutrients in addition roots die at low pH.
We know that too much micronutrients are toxic to plants. Dead roots are also the symptom of a micronutrient toxic reaction. pH shifts may cause this toxic condition ( at least thats my theory and it has passed the test of time in my greenhouse.)

[jmce96]

Originally Posted by Rhynno

I've had the same thing happen. I've seen some new roots growing into the medium suddenly just stop and rot. I measured my ph and there was nothing out of the ordinary (can't recall the exact value off the top of my head but I remember looking it up and if memory serves it was ok). I'd be curious to hear the answer !!

the same thing happened to me, i had an angraecum, in my country they are difficult to obtain so i bought it, it had 3 leaves and no roots, i potted it in a basket with wine bottle corks, 3 new roots started growing down, after some time those roots rotted, and the hole plant died, i thoght it had to do with the cork that maybe they had released poisonous chemicals from the wine..