Root Health, New Potting Technique
I feel as though I am bombarding you all with questions, but here goes another one. This one is a bit complicated.
I have been experimenting with a potting technique I thought of, using transparent glass floral stones in a wire basket. My intention is to create an environment for the roots more like their natural habitat- light exposure for the roots, open air flow, and the ability to become wet and then dry within one or two days- just like in the wild. The first pic I have attached here is of the potted plant so you can see what I am describing. I had to water much more often this way since the glass retains no moisture, but also my apartment is at 70% humidity.
Here is the problem: My roots are not doing well. One of my Phals potted this way finally lost its blossoms after 6 months, so I cut the spike today and pulled the roots out of the glass to inspect them. The last three pics I attached here are of the roots before clean up, and after clean up, as well as a close up fo the dead clippings. I am baffled because I don't understand how the roots could have rotted in this potting system and I don't know for sure that rotting is even the problem. The problem roots look more like they are dry and withered rather than rotten, but I watered every other day. Can anyone tell from these photos really what the problem is?
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