Need help saving Aerangis Fastuosa with black roots - Orchid Board

thisisirene · #1 02-07-2017, 02:36 PM

Hello, Irene here. This is my first post on the OrchidBoard and want to say I'm thrilled to join the community!

I'm posting about a brand new Aerangis Fastuosa (my first Aerangis ever) I just bought and received in the mail yesterday. The poor thing arrived with four leaves, one of which is wrinkled and another that was torn. The real problem is the roots, which are all yellowing or already black.

I'd really like to save the little guy but I'm just not sure where to start. I've heard that mounting the plant might be the best thing to save it (I work from home so can commit to regular misting throughout the day) and was thinking of mounting it with some live moss. I've also heard I should cut off all the bad roots.

Is this the right/wrong approach? Does anyone have experience with this condition of plant and restoring it to health? Would appreciate any and all advice, thank you!

estación seca · #2 02-07-2017, 11:06 PM

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Contact the seller with photos for a refund. Aerangis are hard to get back when they look like this. Was it shipped bare-root?

Purpoh · #3 02-08-2017, 01:26 AM

Welcome! I agree a refund may be a good idea, although this plant isn't is as bad shape as you may think. Its roots do look pretty bad but there are a few live ones. Also I have noticed with my own fastuosa that some roots that look dead may still be living. Mounting is the best way to go with many of these, and misting probably wont be necessary if your humidity is 50% above or so. Misting could actually cause black spots on the leaves and some rot so be careful with this. These are really nice plants so I wish you the best of luck.

thisisirene · #4 02-08-2017, 01:38 AM

Thank you, estación seca!

I did contact the seller, provide details and photos, and request a replacement. They said nothing in reply and gave me a refund instead. Annoying, but oh well.

The plant was shipped in a pot that was taped on top to keep the bark-based orchid medium inside. The roots felt dry even though the potting medium and newspaper were damp.

For now, keeping the roots clean and exposed to air (and away from my other plants). Honestly don't know if I'm experienced enough to revive such a challenge, but still trying to stay hopeful, only because plant deaths upset me so much :/

---------- Post added at 12:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:29 AM ----------

Purpoh, thanks for the welcome and for the tips. Thrilled to hear you think there may be some hope for the little one. As mentioned in my reply to estación seca, I'm trying to keep the roots sanitized and aerated for now. I'll definitely keep what you said about misting in mind.

Just out of curiosity re: the budding flower spike: I've heard that plants often spike as a last-ditch effort. What would be the best thing I could do for the spike right now (or should that not even be any sort of priority)?

Purpoh · #5 02-08-2017, 03:57 PM

There is a good chance the spike will not grow further, although if it does it would drain the plant considerably. I would get someone else's opinion on this as I'd be tempted to keep it hehe.

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jkofferdahl · #6 02-08-2017, 04:10 PM

You have what appear to be some decent, intact roots. I think that the plant can be saved, though it will take some time. Aerangis are especially resentful of poor care and can be difficult to recover. However, your plant itself doesn't look bad. If you're going to pot the plant, I'd advise a basket-type of pot and medium bark (the fine will fall through the pot's slots); my feeling is that the plant would be better off mounted to a stick. I have no doubt that others will disagree with me regarding the spike, but I would snip it to allow the plant to focus energy on root growth. You want the plant for the long-term, not just the quick reward of the flowers.

thisisirene · #7 02-08-2017, 09:12 PM

@Purpoh, I am tempted to keep it!

That said, @jkofferdahl, thanks for the tips and the hope. I've actually mounted the little guy to wood for now, with a little moss. I left the roots largely alone (no trimming, etc.). I've noticed that the spike has already been turning brown, so think your advice on snipping it is one I'll take.