Are these roots going to be ok?
So I live in a climate where the natural humidity ranges from 10-30% as a norm, so I was following general orchid care instructions (and learned Today what the roots are supposed to look like) and had never soaked it before now. It's decidedly better looking than when she went in, but that's not saying much since there was 0 color to them. Should I expect them to flesh out more or is that just their life now? #orchidlovers #orchidorg #orchidhelp #notsohappyplants
4” pot without drainage
Last watered 2 weeks ago
10
Hi Azstarael,
Those roots look a bit rough, but don't worry! Orchids are resilient plants, and they can often recover from root damage. Here are a few things you can do:
* Repot: Repot your orchid in a well-draining orchid potting mix. Make sure the pot has drainage holes.
* Water wisely: Water your orchid thoroughly, but allow the potting mix to dry out completely between waterings.
* Provide adequate humidity: Since you live in a dry climate, consider using a humidifier or misting your orchid regularly.
* Be patient: It may take some time for your orchid to recover. Don't give up!
With a little TLC, your orchid should bounce back and thrive. Good luck!
Those roots look a bit rough, but don't worry! Orchids are resilient plants, and they can often recover from root damage. Here are a few things you can do:
* Repot: Repot your orchid in a well-draining orchid potting mix. Make sure the pot has drainage holes.
* Water wisely: Water your orchid thoroughly, but allow the potting mix to dry out completely between waterings.
* Provide adequate humidity: Since you live in a dry climate, consider using a humidifier or misting your orchid regularly.
* Be patient: It may take some time for your orchid to recover. Don't give up!
With a little TLC, your orchid should bounce back and thrive. Good luck!
@CactusAdjacent Hi Azstarael, You're right roots without color aren't great. I'm sure you know but I don't want to assume anything. Green roots are hydrated, Gray or the roots with no color are thirsty brown lifeless roots can be removed as well as yellow mushy roots. Those are due to root rot and you don't want that to spread. Are those all of its roots or are there more inside of the pot? I ask because the medium that it's in right now looks a little old therefore too compact. Orchids roots need more air circulation to stay healthy. So I would definitely change that as soon as possible. If there are more roots under the soil would you mind taking a picture for me so I can get a good look at them? ☺️
@CactusAdjacent Oh also if you post and type a hashtag a list will come up, if you use one of the hashtags with more members in the group the better chance for your post to be seen. Like #plantsmakepeoplehappy or the actual plant you are asking about like #phalaenopsisorchid just to ensure that your question gets cast out to a wider audience. 😁👍
@princesspitstop I repotted it about a month ago, it's in bark/wood chips (I'd add some spagnum but I'm broke as a joke) so I think that's just because it was fresh out of the sink when I took the picture. The roots in the pot look a lot better than the exposed ones but I'm out of bark too 🥲 also pictured is the pot.
@CactusAdjacent Honestly those roots fabulous! Very healthy! Ok good about repoting! It's hard to tell in pictures sometimes. If you can't go immediately and get spaghnum moss Sonora is going to be fine just lay her in there among the bark that you have and put a few wet pieces around the roots so they can stay hydrated but also where she can get airflow. I understand broke as a joke lol I got my moss from Walmart in the craft section for like $3.50 -ish and it was plenty for my 3 orchids. But take your time I have mine just hanging out on top and whenever the roots look thirsty I give them a soak. The more you keep her constantly hydrated like only when they turn gray, about once a week, her leaves will start to perk up and look like the happy girl she is! She looks awesome! Great job! 😁 👍
@princesspitstop so the roots kept going back to gray like an hour later, so I shrugged and plopped her in a jar of water where she sat and chugged for two days straight 😭 I know you're not normally supposed to let them be in water nearly that long but just wanted to share that this time, an unorthodox approach really worked! All the roots are fat and green again, I'll be monitoring closely until I can figure out a watering cycle fitted to this whole "raising a tropical plant in the Chihuahuan desert" thing!
@CactusAdjacent I'm so glad that worked. She must have been super dehydrated! That makes me happy to see her doing so well! ♥️
@CactusAdjacent I know right! That poor baby. I've had mine just hanging out on top of its orchid bark for at least a year now soaking them in water once a week and they keep pushing out new leaves! Talk about resilience they don't even need soil to grow! Yours will probably have a growth spurt after all that! Don't stress if one of the bigger bottom leaves turns yellow soon. That's normal. And your snake plant!! Dang girl! She's tall!!