I recently rescued this orchid from root rot, trimming off the bad roots and repotting it into new potting mix (but the same size pot, since so many of the roots needed cutting) But now the leaves are yellowing and falling off…did I do something wrong? Should I have used more bark than spagnum for repotting? I lifted off the top layer and the roots themselves look fine, so I’m wondering if maybe I repotted it too tightly…thanks for any help!
The roots support the leaves. So if you trim the roots, some leaves are liable to fall off. I think the same size pot in your case sounds fine. What you did was necessary but traumatic. Treat it nicely, talk to it, and give it time to recover!
3 likesI have a couple thoughts… one is that if your orchid is stressed with root rot, then repotting, one of the best thing you can do is to cut the flower spikes. All they do is suck energy from an already struggling plant. Secondly- normally 2 of the lower leaves yellowing and dropping is not necessarily something to be worried about. However- because it had root rot, you might want to just make sure the infection didn’t travel up into the orchid, creating stem rot issues. Can you show us the other side of the plant? My concern is that there may be discoloration moving up the stem. You might want to raise the base of the plant up and away from the moisture of the sphagnum moss.
2 likes Thanks Jen! Here’s a couple other angles. It looks like some roots that I didn’t trim off earlier have root rot, there might only be two that I can still preserve. I will definitely cut the flower spikes as well. Hopefully I can still save this orchid!
I think there’s a lot of hope here, for sure. I would (gently and carefully) peel the yellowing leaves away from the stem of the orchid. Then you can see what is going on underneath and whether you have an on going problem in the stem tissue that is continuing up the plant. Go ahead and trim away anything else that is dead- roots too, and you’ll better be able to asses if you have a more pressing stem rot situation. I’ve zoomed in and circled the areas to keep an eye on over the next few days. Are these spots growing? Are they firm or getting soft and mushy?
Thanks so much! Nice to know there is hope 💗 The spots you circled are firm, and I even found two new ones growing. (Although they are small, I’m optimistic) 😊
