Hi all! I have a question about my orchid. Many of the aerial roots are shriveling up, yet some near the base of the plant seem brown and possibly the victim of root rot. I live in a dry climate and apartment, so I suspect the lack of humidity in the air could be a problem, but also know that I probably need to repot the plant so I can get it better drainage. I try to wait for watering it about once a week, but seem to overwater other plants and am guilty of doing that in the past. I just can't figure out what the specific problem is here, it seems any of the above could be the issue!
Anyway, my orchid is blooming for the second time right now and continuing to create new flowers. I got it a little under two years ago. Any advice/help figuring out what it is and what to do about it? Should I wait until it's done flowering to take action? Thank you!
Name: Big Bill Livonia Michigan (Zone 6a) If you need to relax, grow plants!!
There isn't a whole lot wrong with your orchid. It is pretty healthy.
It just needs repotting. Your orchid media is so old and broken down that new roots will shy away from growing into it. If they did, they woul die back.
With a new pot and fresh media, more roots would grow down into it.
Phalaenopsis are notorious for roots growing everywhere. It is just their nature to do so. But if you want them to grow into the pot, nice fresh media will be an incentive!
In the meantime you need to water those roots often to keep them viable.
Orchid lecturer, teacher and judge. Retired Wildlife Biologist. Supervisor of a nature preserve up until I retired.
Thank you for your response! That helps a lot, I really have no clue what I'm doing. Glad to hear nothing is wrong with it other than needing a new pot! As soon as it's done flowering this time around I'll repot it. Thank you
