Roots turned black after repot into S/H

[Ashleyma23]

So I had lots of happy new root tips after purchasing Kelpmax. I recently switched from lavarock and hydroton , into only hydroton s/h.

I didn't presoak, but mostly all my active root tips turned black.

I don't know what could have caused this?

[Leafmite]

Sorry to hear!

I cannot really help you as I have not done S/H. Hopefully someone else will be able to help you. Good luck with your orchids!

[estación seca]

Read about S/H here:

Semi-Hydroponics

Almost all the roots will die after going into S/H, to be replaced by roots adapted to S/H. This is why it's best to move plants to S/H only when new roots are growing.

[Ashleyma23]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Read about S/H here:

Semi-Hydroponics

Almost all the roots will die after going into S/H, to be replaced by roots adapted to S/H. This is why it's best to move plants to S/H only when new roots are growing.

I read this and I know. What I mean is that I constantly keep the lava rock/ hydroton moist .

They only had a few inches grown at most.

I think I mangled them too much while trying to repot

[Ray]

In reality, this is a preparation issue more than a true issue with semi-hydroponics.

I can't speak specifically for Hydroton, but all brands of LECA contain manufacturing residues, some of which may be toxic to sensitive roots, so pretreatment to flush those from the particles can be pretty important.

Also, part of the reason behind pretreatment is to saturate the particles with water before use. If they are too dry, they can act like a sponge, "sucking" moisture out of the living tissues, especially the tender root tips, and it takes a lot more than a single watering to saturate them, once they're in use.

[Ashleyma23]

[QUOTE=Ray;815729]In reality, this is a preparation issue more than a true issue with semi-hydroponics.

I can't speak specifically for Hydroton, but all brands of LECA contain manufacturing residues, some of which may be toxic to sensitive roots, so pretreatment to flush those from the particles can be pretty important.

Also, part of the reason behind pretreatment is to saturate the particles with water before use. If they are too dry, they can act like a sponge, "sucking" moisture out of the living tissues, especially the tender root tips, and it takes a lot more than a single watering to saturate them, once they're in use.[/QUOTE



Thanks Ray I thought I read all of the information but apparently I was watching a YouTube video and someone demonstrated using them straight out of the bag.

Lesson learned. Stinks that this always happens each time I have switched to a different medium.

I guess no matter what is used you still have to prewash.

[Ray]

Ashley, when you move a plant from one medium to another, the same thing happens, no matter what they are - even a fresh batch of the same medium from an older, decomposing batch. How much of a setback is determined by the degree of difference, and in some cases - soppy sphagnum into S/H, for example - it may actually be a step upward, and the will be no setback whatsoever.