root question... - Orchid Board

BUUZBEE · #1 02-13-2008, 09:37 PM

ok, so i soaked the bare root ones (from my other thread) in fertilized water. There are a lot of dead roots on the plants. can i cut them off up to the good part of the root?

BUUZBEE · #2 02-13-2008, 10:32 PM

Please... someone

CodiMN · #3 02-14-2008, 01:07 AM

Hi there! Old roots can be trimmed. They will be squishy, or hallow. A good root is firm, whitish, sometimes turns green in response to water--DON'T cut it...it's still feeding the plant.

If you're ready to pot, soak the potting medium in water...usually over night...this helps get the bark ready to hold the right amount of moisture and helps reduce shocking your orchid.

If you don't have time to soak overnight, I've heard boiling the medium in water helps speed up the process...just make sure it's cooled off when you go to use it! (cooked orchid anyone? yikes!)

On a side note, if this is a continued conversation from another thread you posted, I didn't see it yet. I'm sorry! Sometimes it's good if it's still from the same conversation, to go ahead and update on the same thread so previous watchers can see your progress easier.

BUUZBEE · #4 02-14-2008, 01:23 AM

now when i cut the old root, do i cut just below where the good root is, or right where the dead meets good root?

CodiMN · #5 02-14-2008, 01:47 AM

i would cut just the dead and rotted stuff off. if the root is firm...leave the firm section alone. sometimes a root looks "old" just because it's been there a while-doesn't mean that it's ready to be cut off.
when you squeeze the root, if it's mushy or hollow, cut it off.

Ray · #6 02-14-2008, 08:40 AM

Got to disagree, Carolyn.

If you trim the root at the very end of the good part, removing all of the bad and a bit of good, the plant will sometimes respond by growing root branches. If you only remove the bad part, the good part is more likely to just stay where it is.