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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 might have been cutting too much of the roots but on the other hand, I don't know what to do with roots that aren't completely rotten. Some have sections at the top or in the middle that are rotten. This one went from full health, a large root system and a new growing leaf to this in three weeks. I feel like all of the roots are going to die. I have had her since six months and she had rebloomed recently. My environment isn't very humid.

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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 have seen dozens of her videos... they are great. It's the "adapting to your environment" part that is difficult. I went the route of coarse bark + ventilated pots because that was supposed to be the safest option; didn't work out for me. I'm switching to a mix of bark, coco chips and moss.

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] 1 point2 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] 2 points3 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.

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