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Dead or not

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Mumblebee62, May 30, 2019.

  1. May 30, 2019 #1
    Mumblebee62

    Mumblebee62 New Member

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    I have an orchid not sure what it is, think its a Phalaenopsis any way I have had it for years and its been neglected but thriving that is until my grandson "watered it" which at the time I didn't know, now the plant its self is green, solid leaves with lots of air roots but the pot roots are rotted away, squishy and fall apart in your hand..ALL of them. there isn't one good root left under the plant..My question is..is my plant dead? can it be saved with no "pot" roots only aerial roots? and if it can what do I do, how do I save it? Thanks in advance Carol
     
  2. May 30, 2019 #2
    carl

    carl Active Member

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    Aerial roots are fine. The plants do originally grow on trees. I suggest getting some new potting medium - you do have to repot them regularly because the medium breaks down - soak the roots to make them more pliable, and repot. Now that the roots are pliable, carefully put the roots in a pot just big enough to hold the roots, and gently fill in with the potting medium.

    Which medium to use? That becomes more of a religious question: Depends on your watering habits and growing conditions. If you are forgetful in watering, and grow on a window sill, you might try straight sphagnum moss. If you are overly enthusiastic when watering, then some kind of bark-based mix might be good.
     
  3. May 31, 2019 #3
    Mumblebee62

    Mumblebee62 New Member

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    TY for reply..I have removed all the rotted roots from the plant as they were just soggy spaghetti like, the plant has nothing under the main leaves now except the Ariel roots and leaves..Do I still leave the Ariel roots out if the pot? Or push them into the pitting bark I use?
     
  4. Jun 1, 2019 #4
    DarleneJay

    DarleneJay Well-Known Member

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    I would love the aerial roots out of the pot. To make sure I understand. You cut off all of the roots, which were all dead. And you removed all of the potting. Did you replace the bark?

    If you have not already, you will mostly like want to put your phal in a smaller pot.
     
  5. Jun 1, 2019 #5
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Aerial roots develop to be in the air. They will not live if you put them in the medium. Make sure the plant doesn't wobble (support it with chopsticks or skewers if you need to) and let the new roots that want to go into the fresh medium do that. In the meantime, the aerial roots can be misted or watered and will move water and nutrients up to the plant.
     
  6. Jun 2, 2019 #6
    Mumblebee62

    Mumblebee62 New Member

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    Yes all roots under the plant were dead, soggy white and not nice..I removed all of these. I have new bark ty
     
  7. Jun 2, 2019 #7
    Mumblebee62

    Mumblebee62 New Member

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    ty fingers crossed it will do something..dont ya just looove grandkids x