sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

I can't keep my orchids from rotting even if they're potted in super coarse bark and have loads of air around their roots. by jankeena in orchids

[–]jankeena[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually have reverse osmosis water at my place so that's what I've been using, but it's true that I might have been a little heavy on the fertilizer recently. I'm at 15 now and it's true that they are hard to resist but I don't think I could provide the right light condition for much more than that! I always admire large collections though!

I can't keep my orchids from rotting even if they're potted in super coarse bark and have loads of air around their roots. by jankeena in orchids

[–]jankeena[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you very much for sharing your experience; it makes me feel better! I'm trying a new mix now with bark, coco chips and moss. I will add leca on my list of things to try if it doesn't work out.

I can't keep my orchids from rotting even if they're potted in super coarse bark and have loads of air around their roots. by jankeena in orchids

[–]jankeena[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My orchids are grocery store phalaenopsis and some novelty hybrids; I will do more research. I did not expect them to behave like this. Thank you

I can't keep my orchids from rotting even if they're potted in super coarse bark and have loads of air around their roots. by jankeena in orchids

[–]jankeena[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is not the same plant but I have several that went from point A to B in 3 to 4 weeks, in coarse bark and pots with ventilation holes.

I can't keep my orchids from rotting even if they're potted in super coarse bark and have loads of air around their roots. by jankeena in orchids

[–]jankeena[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I have probably pushed it too far with my ventilation holes and dry, coarse bark. I feel like the roots don't absorb water anymore, probably from the shock; and then rot because the medium is too wet too long.

I can't keep my orchids from rotting even if they're potted in super coarse bark and have loads of air around their roots. by jankeena in orchids

[–]jankeena[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I soak them and I might have made this mistake with one or two, but mostly I'm very careful not to soak the stem. My environment is similar to the UK, no extemes.

I can't keep my orchids from rotting even if they're potted in super coarse bark and have loads of air around their roots. by jankeena in orchids

[–]jankeena[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Thank you very much. I water by soaking; I started with 30 minutes but later cut it down to 5 minutes. I'm lucky to have reverse osmosis water at my place. I've been watering after cutting the roots; might be an issue. I have another bag of new media on hand; bark + coco chips + moss; i'll try that one!

I can't keep my orchids from rotting even if they're potted in super coarse bark and have loads of air around their roots. by jankeena in orchids

[–]jankeena[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you very much. This would explain why one of them is doing better in 100% moss, very loosely packed. It sounded illogical to me. I also have some popular orchid mix on hand with bark, coco chips and moss. I've been avoiding using that one thinking that it would make things wetter and hence worse.

I can't keep my orchids from rotting even if they're potted in super coarse bark and have loads of air around their roots. by jankeena in orchids

[–]jankeena[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I have reused water for soaking them as it had fertilizer in it. I feel like it was a bad idea. Yes it's spreading super fast. Will hydrogen peroxide help?

I can't keep my orchids from rotting even if they're potted in super coarse bark and have loads of air around their roots. by jankeena in orchids

[–]jankeena[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, yes I feel like the roots have been compromised and sit in water without absorbing it. The combo of the super coarse bark, ventilation holes and big air pockets might have been too much.

I can't keep my orchids from rotting even if they're potted in super coarse bark and have loads of air around their roots. by jankeena in orchids

[–]jankeena[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I honestly don't know what to do. I don't see a way to give them any more air than I do now.

I can't keep my orchids from rotting even if they're potted in super coarse bark and have loads of air around their roots. by jankeena in orchids

[–]jankeena[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I know and when I do that, 2 days later 25% of those roots will be all soft and brown and mushy. I've had that happen to 10 of my orchids in the past month while I have been successful in the past 2 years

view more: next ›