Baby roots turned black

[RoseSD]

I am a little worried that this little baby has roots on the outside of the media and they are blackish in color. Does this mean something is wrong? Does it mean I water too little or too much? I have never had anything so small in orchid. Please advise

[SADE2020]

What kind of medium is on it ?

---------- Post added at 01:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:40 AM ----------



Those dark spots are due to sun burn, too much light exposure or dryness; lack of humidity. But does NOT mean that the root is damage or lossing the ability to conduct humidity to the plant.

[RoseSD]

Originally Posted by SADE2020

What kind of medium is on it ?

---------- Post added at 01:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:40 AM ----------

What kind of medium is on it ?

Those dark spots are due to sun burn, too much light exposure's you or dryness; lack of humidity. But does mean that the root is damage or Lossing the ability to conduct humidity to the plant.

I think.Media is thin barks.
You mean the roots are bad now because it got dark? That seems very fragile. I topped the exposed roots with moss to preserve moisture. Do you think that's a contributing risk factor? What should I do going forward?

[Shoreguy]

Some darkening like displayed is fairly common and could have multiple sources, often of no consequence. Might be algae.

I would leave out the sphagnum. The bark might be broken down. Is it fresh, or what it came in? I always repot any new acquisition.

[Roberta]

Exposed roots on a Neofinetia falcata are normal and good... it's a little Vanda. The roots need air, and some drying between waterings. If the medium is shredded bark, it may tend to stay too wet. In fact, this time of year, it wants to be cooler and drier (not bone dry for long, but definitely needs an opportunity to dry out)

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by RoseSD

I think.Media is thin barks.
You mean the roots are bad now because it got dark? That seems very fragile. I topped the exposed roots with moss to preserve moisture. Do you think that's a contributing risk factor? What should I do going forward?

I am so sorry I rewrote what I mean to say correctly. That the darkness doesn't mean that the roots is in bad condition. It is fairly normal to have exposure roots with dark strains.

The medium should be loose and if it get wet really easy or don't dry fast maybe should be change.

If by contrary your humidity is so low that those roots are always dry, the moss could help. But only if you are sure that the entire root system get fully dry in your water circle.

I just repeat everything that Roberta said

[RoseSD]

OK guys and gals I just repotted the whole thing because I dropped it. 😅
Guess what? So glad I did because the media is coconut fiber. As I cleaned them.up from the floor I found fungus in it 😪 .
Luckily I had everything I need at home to repot so I did it! I trimmed off a couple of tiny bad roots, and was left with 2.5 good ones. I used mostly loose moss and fine bark mix with laca around the outer edge. It will be treated gently and watered less frequently. Wish us luck!!

[RoseSD]

Surface roots no longer visible. Side openings increase drying time.

[Shoreguy]

Mixing sphag and bark is a bad choice. Use the bark alone or preferably mixed with tree fern (not New Zealand).

The sphag is going to rot and prevent aeration which the roots require. You mean slotted pots reduce drying time, but not enough.

[RoseSD]

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

Mixing sphag and bark is a bad choice. Use the bark alone or preferably mixed with tree fern (not New Zealand).

The sphag is going to rot and prevent aeration which the roots require. You mean slotted pots reduce drying time, but not enough.

Why does bark increase the rate of sphagnum rot? For now I will leave it, having tortured it long enough. I am sure I will repot it again soon.

---------- Post added at 09:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:17 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

Mixing sphag and bark is a bad choice. Use the bark alone or preferably mixed with tree fern (not New Zealand).

The sphag is going to rot and prevent aeration which the roots require. You mean slotted pots reduce drying time, but not enough.

Could you help estimate when new roots and a flower spike on this baby may come up? What concentration of Foliage gro as fertilizer do you recommend? Is 1/4 teaspoon in a gallon and pour through good? I do worry the moss will trap fertilizer solution and burn the few roots it has. Thanks!