---
title: "EDIT: it was actually just a coating on the outside of the roots that…"
description: "EDIT: it was actually just a coating on the outside of the roots that could be gently rubbed off. I hope I didn’t aggravate the plant from doing that. The…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/gTaMwKg_QvOINMkmdspcyA"
community: "The Orchid Oasis"
author: "Holly"
published: "2024-06-09T16:43:47.061535Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OvGfsYNzvPKSvzjmB07-XFKohuEITYZbx-ZONFbCQ1c/iSzGPCVFT6mNXtK-Wd7aqQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# EDIT: it was actually just a coating on the outside of the roots that…

_Posted by Holly on 2024-06-09_

EDIT: it was actually just a coating on the outside of the roots that could be gently rubbed off. I hope I didn’t aggravate the plant from doing that. The water it was soaking in turned orange/yellow after that! I think maybe it was a pigment in the potting medium. Picture in comments!

——

Repotting a phalaenopsis orchid and I just wanted to check - are these roots healthy? They look so dark but it’s almost like a callous on it. The rest of the roots look green and healthy. I don’t need to trim these do I? What if the dark section is in the middle of the root? Thanks in advance!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OvGfsYNzvPKSvzjmB07-XFKohuEITYZbx-ZONFbCQ1c/iSzGPCVFT6mNXtK-Wd7aqQ.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### Holly commented on 2024-06-09

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OvGfsYNzvPKSvzjmB07-XFKohuEITYZbx-ZONFbCQ1c/DKanoRf5SsWWwRMbOimk-w.webp?size=large)

### AliciaB commented on 2024-06-09

I have the same issue with my orchids too! Water was coming out very dark after watering so I wondered of it was coming from the potting material.

### Jen commented on 2024-06-10

Sometimes the tannins in orchid bark can do that. If the roots are firm and plump, not mushy or papery, don’t cut them. The callous areas can be just on the surface and might just be from hard water damage, but if they are still plump and firm, they’re not dead.

#### Holly replied on 2024-06-10

Upon closer inspection it wasn’t even really calloused at all - I guess it was just a visual texture? A significant amount of it rubbed off from the roots pretty easily.

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