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jderenski

Phalaenopsis root color

Hello,

I am new to orchids, and I was gifted with a blooming Phalaenopsis a month ago. In that time, the plant has continued to bloom, and appears to be doing well. However, I am concerned about the color one or two of the roots are turning. In particular, they appear to be turning a brownish color. I've felt the roots that are doing this, and they are still firm. The plant grows in a pot that does not appear to have a drainage hole, but there appears to be an additional plastic insert in the pot, and that probably has drainage holes. The plant is placed near a west-facing window, and gets a good amount of indirect light throughout the day, with the most intense being for a few minutes at the very end of the day. I water the orchid when I notice the roots turning silver (every 5-7 days). Is there anything more I should be doing for my orchid?


Below are a few pictures of the orchid (I am aware of the withered root in the background of the second picture, the plant came with the root like that).






Comments (9)

  • 10 years ago

    No, there are no holes at the base.

  • 10 years ago

    You need to make holes to let the plant drain. These plants grow on the sides of trees and their roots are exposed to the air and not in dirt or a wet situation. The plant must drain or you will rot the roots.

    Take a small scissor or knife and carefully make holes at the bottom and along the sides to let in air. Only water after you check the media by sticking you finger into the pot.

    Phals should be watered when almost totally dry.

    Your plant looks healthy. You can clip the old dry root off.

    Jane

    Josh D (California) thanked jane__ny
  • 10 years ago

    This if pretty common for sellers to use solid pots for decorative retail sale. You'd do well to lose the outer pot to allow air to dry out the medium.

    Good advise from Jane and Arthur

    Use a north or east window or you'll sunburn the leaves. You could use sheers on that west window to protect you new orchid. Your 5-7 days is great for the winter.

    The roots look to be in pretty good shape, probably some damage on that top one from packing and shipping. Orchids grow at glacial speed so I'd let it die at its own speed before snipping it. Some Phals seem to never go out of flower


    Josh D (California) thanked jbraun_gw
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Looks fine. Exposed roots can burn from sun, cold, or fertilizer burn. Best advice is to change medium after flowering. Old spoiled medium//bark mix is worst enemy. Better to have a medium that dries quick and water more often then soggy rotten mess. Try theorchidsource forums.

    Josh D (California) thanked ootockalockatuvik_7a
  • 10 years ago

    I think your spot for the plant is good. Generally a west window can be too hot but you say it is indirect bright shade is perfect. Move it if you notice black on the edges of the leaves. Repotting is a good idea but not now. Enjoy the bloom and be careful not to over water. It would be nice to have a little help on repotting in the future. If you like the idea of orchids join a local society.

    Josh D (California) thanked shavedmonkey (Harvey in South Fl.)Z10b
  • 10 years ago

    Most important that orchids do not sit in water so provide better drainage by putting some stones into the bottom of the outer pot until you can repot it After the blooms fade or in the spring is a good time to repot and many how-to videos when you do a search on your computer. Water seems good, plant needs to dry out between waterings. Needs more frequent watering in summertime. fertilize weakly-weekly and use urea-free fertilizer. BTW phals are ony orchid I know of that can be repotted in bloom; if you want to try it. You can take it to an orchid nursery and staff will repot for you for a fee and you can watch too. Also water in early AM so leaves can dry off and also make sure no water is in the center of plant where the leaves meet; this can lead to black rot and then you have lost the plant. Good Luck!

  • 10 years ago

    Urea free fertilizer because orchids can't use urea based nitrogen so using it is just a waste of money. Search online for urea free or go to Lowe's and get Better-Gro fertilizer. Other fertilizers say it's for orchids doesn't mean it's urea free; read the ingredients of all labels to be sure.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Some light reading in the link!


    nitrogen-in-fertilizers-and-the-truth-about-urea

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