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Thread: when to check the roots

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  1. #1
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    Desiré
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    Default when to check the roots

    I just bought this Phal a week ago and after two days it has dropped a bottom leave. After reading around on this forum, I discovered that this can be pretty normal.
    However, as you can see in attached pictures I noticed a second leave become leathery in anticipation of dropping too. So I suspect this to be due to some root rot.
    I would like to take it out of its pot to confirm my suspicion, but there is where you come in:

    The Phal is currently in bloom; so should I wait until it is finished blooming to check the roots, with possible re-potting activities?

    thanks for your usual advise.
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  2. #2
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    Bruce Brown
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    It looks to be in full bloom in the final photo. I would check the roots now and repot. If there is not really any root problems, try to disturb the center of the root ball very little. That way, you will not loose your blooms.

    Cheers,
    BD

  3. #3
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    Margarita
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    Dess, can you see through if there are green healthy roots inside the pot? I would suggest repotting your phalaenopsis orchid, but be very careful with the roots so you wont loose the blooms.
    Here is a link that I think will be very helpful.
    How to Repot a Phalaenopsis Orchid | River Valley Orchidworks

  4. #4
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    Desiré
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    Update:
    I checked the roots of my Phal, and it turned out have quite some soft roots in the middle....
    I cutted them all with some clean scissors, which I cleaned with some diluted bleach.....
    Then I soaked the roots in some peroxide solution for a while and repotted it in bark/charcoal mix.

    Did I do it right? Does the fact that most of the damaged roots were in the middle, will damage my flowers?

  5. #5
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    Sounds like you did it right. My opinion I think there is always the chance you may lose the flowers especially when disturbing the plant in any way. Sometimes it's just luck. Wish yours the best

  6. #6
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    Cindi
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    Dess, Rotting roots in the center under the plant mean the medium at that area was not drying out. Too much moisture caused the center roots to begin decaying. Your new media ofcharcoal and bark should be good if the pot is not too big. Keep checking the center area under the plant with a bamboo skewer, or a popsicle stick that you leave tucked down in the medium under the plant. Pull it out and hold against your cheek to check for a cool/moist feeling and only water when that is no longer there.

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