skip to main content

orchid plant with no root

12 years ago

Hello

New to orchids. My 1st purchase (phalaenopsis) couple of months ago and plant was in flower. It did have a mealy bug which I am sure I have eliminated (familiar with them from my cactus collection) but am watching every day (haven't seen any for 4 weeks).

After I purchased I noticed during the new orchid soil transplant that the roots were dead or near so. Only a couple roots that came close to being ok.

Over last 2 weeks the 3 leafs have wilted and I am misting them everyday. 2nd stem has one flower getting ready to bloom but other 2 buds have turned a wilted yellow look.

Question: Is it possible for orchid to put out new roots and what if anything can I do to help.

BL

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

arthurm
12 years ago
Notes in the link relate to Phalaenopsis culture in Canada. You might be able to revive the plant by using the spag and bag routine but the road back will take ages. Maybe better to read up on culture and start again with a new plant.

All this misting is deadly dangerous, the plant likes to be moist but not continually wet and the roots must dry out a little bit between watering.

These are in my opinion not good beginners orchids (especially for here) but people cannot bear to throw a plant bought as a cheap bunch of flowers in the trash can.

I have about a dozen Phals growing indoors on the top of a heated fish tank. Winter sun filtered through matchstick blind.Current temp there 19C Humidity 64% .) Plants watered twice a week. NO MISTING!.

Here is a link that might be useful: Phal. Notes for Canada
richardol
12 years ago
It is quite possible for your plant to recover but as Arthur said, it will take time. Stop misting the leaves, that will only add to the problems.

I am concerned about the cause of the original root death. Most plants are ok when purchased and the roots died because the plant is kept too wet. Besides being too wet, they are often in too dark a location.

I am all for rescuing orchids, but they are not the way to start. It is possible for the plant to grow new roots, in fact it will do that given half a chance.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://blog.backbulb.com/
Related Discussions
Mold on orchid root
Q
Comments (3)
Don't know if it really does anything, but I always spray things like that with rubbing alcohol. Makes me feel better :)
...See More
Orchid Root Fungus/Rot?
Q
Comments (2)
Doesn't look all that bad. Old roots and leaves die. The potting mix is not some sort of pristine place. It teems with fungi and bacteria good and bad and as long as your growing conditions are favourable the plant will thrive. Where are you and what sort of temperatures, humidity and light is the plant getting and if you are in the north of USA will the plant get good conditions in winter?
...See More
Orchid replacing roots--put under media?
Q
Comments (4)
Let it be. The old root will not contribute but they are a good temporary anchor until those healthy new roots latch on. It looks like a pot in a pot. Make sure there is full drainage and it has a chance to dry out after watering. Give it orchid fertilizer. I like orchid plus at home depot. You want to stimulate those new roots. Spray them lightly every day for a while. And fertilize the same way. Once a week more or less run water through the pot at the sink. No water in the crown! Can cause crown rot which is death. Bright but no direct sun. Good luck
...See More
Black roots on my Phalaenopsis Orchid
Q
Comments (5)
I live in Toronto Canada, cold snowy winter conditions for months now. My orchids are always indoors, and yes the house has been rather dry for a while without a whole lot of ventilation. I never take my orchids outdoors. I already have too much trouble controlling bugs on my 2 large hibiscus plants that I keep outdoors every summer as otherwise they don't bloom too well and also because they take up a lot of space indoors. I keep spraying with insecticidal soap and neem oil, as soon as I stop the little white mites are back......a few days ago I sprayed with diluted H2O2, will see how this goes... The growing medium for my orchids is bark, specific for orchids it said on the bag, but don't know what kind. I have been watering them every week to 10 days with some orchid fertilizer most of the time, with plain water in between. I have not spritzed them for months... I used to take each orchid to the sink for watering, lift it out of the ceramic pot to drain, then replace. But lately I have been lazy and just watered them on the spot with all the rest of the plants in the same location , a bay window. All of my other plants are in pots with drainage holes and sitting on a plate allowing for drainage. But the orchids came with a cheap plastic pot with a drainage hole and an outer ceramic pot without. I do now realize that I have to change this system. How do you tell the difference between black rot and mold, and would both not present similar problems and spread ? I will spray the outer pot with H2O2 today. In fact I was thinking of spraying the bottom roots of the plant with perhaps a diluted version as well. Some people on youtube suggested this, but others warned against this method, that is why I asked for help on this forum...I really appreciate your help Jane, thanks for taking time out for answering!
...See More
bluther
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the advice. Update on my plant since yesterday.

Noticed that didn't quite get rid of the mealy bugs. 2 large ones on the underleaf. Decided to throw away as I have a large cactus collection BUT then questioned if the original store had a warrenty. They did so just returned today and exchanged for a desort rose cactus (didn't have any orchids remaining).

I have another orchid (phalaenopsis) which is doing quite well. Will nurture as best I can and learn from my mistakes. Have to say, only watering once a week if that, so feel returned orchid was doomed before purchase (with mealy and lack of roots). Not planning to give up on orchids as they are beautiful plants and like the challenge.

Again, thanks for the help / advise. Feel free to offer any other advise.

Jazz
jane__ny
12 years ago
You are learning...you threw it out. Your plant was doomed before you brought it home. In the future, check the plant carefully for pests and try to take a peek at the roots.

Jane

Related Stories

HOUSEPLANTS How to Grow Orchids Indoors

By Marianne Lipanovich

Orchids are the exotic aristocrats of the flower world and can make themselves comfortable in almost any home

HOUSEPLANTS Orchids 101: How to Keep Your Moth Orchids Alive and Blooming

By Marianne Lipanovich

Growing Phalaenopsis — and getting it to flower again — is easier than you might think

HOUSEPLANTS Orchids 101: Slipper Orchid Success

By Marianne Lipanovich

If you don’t already love Paphiopedilums, learning how to grow them with ease might change your mind

HOUSEPLANTS Orchids 101: Classic Cattleyas

By Marianne Lipanovich

These traditional corsage orchids can easily be a part of your collection of blooming plants

FLOWERS See the Amazing Orchids Unfolding at a New York Garden Show

By Mitchell Parker

Get an eyeful of awe-inspiring orchids in incredible colors and learn how to keep one happily blooming at home

HOUSEPLANTS Orchids 101: Try Something Different With Dendrobiums

By Marianne Lipanovich

If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, these orchids may be a good choice

DECORATING GUIDES Indoor Gardener: Orchids Bring Beauty to Decor

By Living Small: City & Small Space Consulting

Beautifully blooming orchids add elegance and grace to entryways, bathrooms and decorative vignettes

FLOWERS Orchids 101: Frilly Oncidiums Dance Their Way to Center Stage

By Marianne Lipanovich

Sprays of flowers characterize these New World orchids

FLOWERS Orchids 101: Cymbidiums Add Beauty Indoors and Out

By Marianne Lipanovich

Their large, long-lasting flowers give them a place of honor in homes and gardens

INSPIRING GARDENS The Garden That Orchids Built

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

The owners of a famous orchid nursery create a sanctuary for themselves in South Florida

Sponsored

More Discussions

My first keiki!

2

New spikes and terminal spike on orchid.

12

Orchid root rot

1

Source for Cypripedium formosanum?

1

Orchid - Roots vs. Stems?

5