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Hi plant friends! I’m wondering what to do about this orchid. It… | The Orchid Oasis | Planta-community

Kirsten

Hi plant friends! I’m wondering what to do about this orchid. It didn’t feel sturdy sitting in orchid bark, and I accidentally knocked it over. Now that I see the roots they look black and dead. But you can see a new leaf growing. Do I cut off the roots? But then I feel like I’ll have no roots and how will the plant continue to grow? Or are the roots not dead which is why the plant continues to grow new leaves? Should I soak in a hydrogen peroxide solution and see what the roots really look like? Any help and advise would be appreciated🤗

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  1. Jen

    How do the roots FEEL? Are they mushy, or maybe papery and without substance? Then they are gone. If they are still somewhat full and firm, they are still functioning. They may be on their way out, but they are still supporting your orchid. I would say, based solely on this photo, they are still alive. Not only because it’s growing a new leaf, but because the others aren’t looking dehydrated. You might want to ease up on the fertilizer, if you are overdoing it, that can cause roots to show burn damage like you have here. Or it could be hard water. Whatever the cause, try to encourage new root growth before you re pot. Gently remove the old hard dried brown leaf bits from the base of the stem so the tender new roots have an easier time of breaking through.

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  2. MattL

    I agree it looks very saveable. I see the problem of keeping it in the medium while it regrows roots. You could maybe do this one of two ways. 1) fill a pot with the right medium. Then make a hole in some fine netting, slide it over the roots from the bottom, and use a rubber band to keep the whole assembly attached to the pot. 2) twist-tie it to a fat twig and just mist it daily. When it has more roots it might be easier to pot up.

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  3. Kirsten

    Thank you! Two of the roots were soft and seemed to be starting to lose the protective sheath on the outside so I cut them off. There were about two that still seemed firm so I kept them. I securely repotted it in new orchid bark. I was watering with my tapwater from the kitchen sink, but moving forward, I’ll water with filtered water. Thank you both for your help!

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