Cinnamon powder in S/H growing

[Zoren]

,, again.
I re-potted two of my Phalaenopsis (when they re-bloom maybe someone can help me with putting names to them), any way. I cleaned up the roots from its medium (Sphagnum moss) and cut away some old dead roots. My question is: 'should I put cinnamon powder on the cut roots if I am growing S/H'. I read that you shouldn't mix any organic material to the LECA when growing S/H (cinnamon is a bark from a tree). All responses will be help full...Zoren...

[Orchid Whisperer]

Cinnamon will damage live root tissue. If you are cutting truly dead root tissue, cinnamon won't help anything, and poses a risk to adjacent live roots.

If you plan to cut live (but damaged) roots, I recommend instead leaving the roots exposed to air, and seeing which roots live, which don't. You may find that you need to cut fewer roots than you think.

As an example, look at the attached photo. This Phal had some compromised roots, which you can see. I hung it up outdoors in a shady spot a couple months ago and now realize there are very few roots I actually need to cut. I am in no hurry to put it back in a pot again, as it is growing just fine exposed to the air like this. I will probably put back in a pot with bark late this summer.

[Zoren]

So Orchid Whisperer is what your saying is 'cinnamon powder' shouldn't be used in any form of growing Orchids in any medium? I have been reading for years that 'cinnamon powder' helps heal cut roots. Now see that's why I find growing Orchids is so hard, there is to much WRONG INFORMATION out there. I want to thank all of you for your response...Zoren..

[Orchid Whisperer]

Although I don't use it on leaves or stems, cinnamon can be used on injuries on those tissues to prevent fungal and bacterial attack. It just can't be used on roots.

[Ray]

Cinnamon certainly can be used on roots - if all you're doing it sealing the cut tips and covering nothing else, and getting rid of the excess.

Besides being a pretty decent topical fungicide, it is also a tremendous desiccant. When used properly on a newly-cut root, about 2-3 mm will collapse and provide a sterile termination to that root, but it will likely branch just above that.

A tiny amount of cinnamon isn't going to cause any issues in a semi-hydro pot. The "no organics" advice is to remove as much of the old media as possible to prevent them from becoming a large volume of rotting matter. It is not necessary to remove them completely.

[Zoren]

, Thank you Ray for the explanation about cinnamon powder. I don't usually put cinnamon powder on the roots I have to cut away (I have had problems with it before), do you have to put anything on the roots after cutting them? And, is there anything else (that is safer) than cinnamon? Or, can you cut them and not apply anything? I'm learning how to grow orchids all over again and trying not to make the same or as many mistakes this time. I know that since I only started S/H growing recently (I think the end of May). I can't expect a lot, but, I can see improvement in, growth and blooming. This system seems to be the best for me, only time will tell how good. Again, thank you Ray...Zoren...

[Optimist]

cinnamon is used like a styptic pen. It drys over deep cuts in the plant. This might be necessary if you must remove a pseudobulb or something radical. Too many people are using too much cinnamon. It is really not useful for anything because the plant itself has enzymes which will identify an "injury" (cut) and start the plant equivalence of scabbing over and healing to occur, just as if you cut yourself. Putting it on roots anywhere is liable to kill them. It will certainly dry them out to the point where they are in peril of destruction. This will further slow the growth of the plant (set-back is the term). Semi-Hydro is not about keeping the orchid in a situation of total sterility. Roots dead and alive are used by the orchid, if they were not all wild orchids in trees would have gotten rid of their roots. They keep their roots because their roots have a use to them. There are at least 4 reasons for an orchid to keep its roots.

To harvest nutrients from rainwater or mist, which is the only way a lot of orchids get their water, and keep it close to the base of the plant.

To create a catch area for living beneficial bacteria (which float in the air)

To act as a moisture trap for an epiphytic plant (like people use sphagnum moss when they are mounting a plant)

To create more of a base for the plant to hang on to branches. -- since wild plants are never repotted, the old roots are still twisted around the tree branch, so they act as "anchors."

---------- Post added at 08:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:40 AM ----------

As far as "everyone says for years to do so-and-so." They also say water your orchids with ice cubes.

The erroneous advice on the internet is passed along and magnified over and over again. I would recommend an actual botany textbook and a few good orchid books rather than taking internet advice. The internet has some good points too, but arm yourself with actual knowledge.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Optimist

As far as "everyone says for years to do so-and-so." They also say water your orchids with ice cubes.

The erroneous advice on the internet is passed along and magnified over and over again. I would recommend an actual botany textbook and a few good orchid books rather than taking internet advice. The internet has some good points too, but arm yourself with actual knowledge.

Yep. I saw someone post this once:

"Tell someone something and it's heresay. Once it has been repeated on the internet, it is fact."

[Dumb chemist]

I read somewhere that powdered sulfur should be dusted on orchid roots to help dry them. Cinnamon powder should be used to seal the edges of cut leaves and stems and to stop fungus infections. The latter advice was given me by Mr Rice (Homer, NY) before his death some years ago.

I don;t use either treatment right now as I lost my greenhouse last January due to a faulty gas heater. (I saved only 2 plants out of 51 pots and both of them were ferns.)

[Zoren]

, I would like to thank all who gave there opinions about 'Cinnamon powder etc.........' I have decided to let 'Nature' take care of it's self. I will be keeping a close eye on my orchids in there new environment to determine how to 'Care' for them. I find that most of the advice I receive from members (especially the Seniors) of the OB has been good. Thank you all again,...Zopren..