Oh no! Is this root rot?
2ft to light, indirect
5” pot without drainage
Last watered 4 days ago
3
@TryDogrose54 As mentioned above it doesn’t look like it . This can happen when you over water it . You need to let them dry out totally before watering again. Is it just in orchid bark ? Have you transplanted it yet ? My last one came in a plug which holds water longer so it’s worth looking at the roots under the soil . If it were sunburn you would notice the leaves getting a red hugh . You’ll know when it needs water by the leaves getting streaks and limp . I just watered mine so I hope you can see what I mean in leaves. Good luck 🍀
Though I agree with @ILoveMyPlants and @Slyvie that it isn't root rot (yet), I disagree a bit as to the cause. Not sunburn, not overwatering.
I'm pretty certain those roots have been damaged by chemical burns. Generally that can happen if e.g. the mineral content of the water is too high (either because the tap water used is too hard or too much/ the wrong fertilizer is added). OR, which is more likely here, given the location of the burns, simply because the roots have been watered repeatedly outside of the medium. That will burn them even faster even if the water's mineral content is only too hard by a bit. Especially if your surrounding humidity is on the lower side.
Basically orchid roots always need some time to absorb the minerals they actually want from the water. Roots inside the medium get more time to do that because the medium around them will keep them damp for a longer time. The roots on top in your pictures a are exposed to the air and the water is drying faster than the roots can get the minerals, so a lot more mineral residue will be left on the roots. depending on how high the original mineral content was, that can be quite damaging to them over time. So: though I agree with @Slyvie about the mineral spots, they are not only aesthetic. Apart from the direct damage the "burn" does to the roots, high mineral content (in the pot as well) can lead to a higher chance of some of the less desirable fungi etc to take hold.
Meaning: though usually it's great to create wet and dry cycles like Deb described (watering them well, letting them dry completely etc), in this case it would exacerbate the problem, unless the mineral content of your water is lowered.
Many people keep orchids like this bare rooted, but those often use very soft water in most cases.
Another fix here could be too avoid the roots on top when watering. Either by directly watering around them or even just switching to soaking them by just placing the pot into water. Whatever suits you best.
Last but not least: roots like this happen. I try to avoid it, but unless you already have very soft water or pay very close attention when watering every single time, it's bound to happen. So I have them as well. It's not an big issue, as long as you notice it in time and try to pay more attention to it afterwards.
Your phal is obviously a big root producer. The new ones coming in, will be there in no time. So no worries
I'm pretty certain those roots have been damaged by chemical burns. Generally that can happen if e.g. the mineral content of the water is too high (either because the tap water used is too hard or too much/ the wrong fertilizer is added). OR, which is more likely here, given the location of the burns, simply because the roots have been watered repeatedly outside of the medium. That will burn them even faster even if the water's mineral content is only too hard by a bit. Especially if your surrounding humidity is on the lower side.
Basically orchid roots always need some time to absorb the minerals they actually want from the water. Roots inside the medium get more time to do that because the medium around them will keep them damp for a longer time. The roots on top in your pictures a are exposed to the air and the water is drying faster than the roots can get the minerals, so a lot more mineral residue will be left on the roots. depending on how high the original mineral content was, that can be quite damaging to them over time. So: though I agree with @Slyvie about the mineral spots, they are not only aesthetic. Apart from the direct damage the "burn" does to the roots, high mineral content (in the pot as well) can lead to a higher chance of some of the less desirable fungi etc to take hold.
Meaning: though usually it's great to create wet and dry cycles like Deb described (watering them well, letting them dry completely etc), in this case it would exacerbate the problem, unless the mineral content of your water is lowered.
Many people keep orchids like this bare rooted, but those often use very soft water in most cases.
Another fix here could be too avoid the roots on top when watering. Either by directly watering around them or even just switching to soaking them by just placing the pot into water. Whatever suits you best.
Last but not least: roots like this happen. I try to avoid it, but unless you already have very soft water or pay very close attention when watering every single time, it's bound to happen. So I have them as well. It's not an big issue, as long as you notice it in time and try to pay more attention to it afterwards.
Your phal is obviously a big root producer. The new ones coming in, will be there in no time. So no worries