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christine1950_gw

Need help

13 years ago

I rescued this from the garbage and I know nothing about orchids, what are these things growing and what do I do about them?? Its still in the original pot & bark and I do keep it from drying out completely, it has grown 2 new leaves since I've had it. Thanks
Christine

Comments (6)

  • 13 years ago

    Those are roots,sometimes they grow up like that. Do some searching online for phalanopsis care, that's what you have. They like bright light but not direct sun, water about every 7 days or when you can feel that the medium down deep in the pot is dry. I drench them with water, including the roots growing out of the pot and then let them dry completely before watering again. Try not to get water in the crown, the indentation or cup area where the leaves open from, if you do just dry it out with a paper towel right away. Make sure your outer pot has drainage holes along with the plastic one inside the pot. They like a lot of air flow to the roots. Good luck.

  • 13 years ago

    Thank you so much chilover, you've given me great info :>)
    Christine

  • 13 years ago

    chilover, I took it out of the pot to check the roots and found this mess,I did read up on it as you suggested but I still dont know what to do about all these roots, they have come out the holes and there is no way to remove the plant from the inner pot without hurting the roots. Should I just put it back the way it was or find it a new home LOL...

  • 13 years ago

    I have that happen all the time, just put it back for the time being, it's doing great. When you do eventually repot it, just cut the plastic pot away from the roots. I wouldn't worry about it at this time unless you feel like repotting, then just get a pot about one inch bigger and wrap all the roots in a ball when you put it in the pot. Then add new orchid bark that has been soaked for a couple of hours in water. That helps the bark to hold moisture better than if you put it in dry. I have several plants that look the same way.

  • 13 years ago

    You've got some happy roots there :)

    For your purposes, given the tangle of roots, you'd want to repot. You can try to pull the plant out of the clear plastic pot. In many cases the roots, with a little gentle coaxing, will pull right out of the holes. You could also try to but as much of the plastic pot away as you can. In the more extreme (not my favorite method and should be the last resort, but has proven effective when necessary) is to simply cut the roots off at the holes.

  • 13 years ago

    Thank you both for all your help, I will do as you said and I will stick with her and give her lots of TLC and maybe someday she will reward me with a beautiful orchid.
    Christine

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