Is it possible the roots in the media are dead and the aerial roots are not getting enough water to keep the plant hydrated ?
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I've had this orchid for 8 yrs and it was doing very well and blooming once or twice a year. In the last month, the leaves started to wrinkle even though I didn't change how I cared for the plant. My question is two-fold....1) how to I repot the orchid to get rid of the tree like center of the plant, and also 2) what can I do about it's leaves darkening and wrinkling.
Thanks much.
Is it possible the roots in the media are dead and the aerial roots are not getting enough water to keep the plant hydrated ?
That would be my guess.
I'd de-pot and prune off all the dead roots (and that would probably include the bottom half or so of the stem) with a sterile tool and re-pot it in fresh media.
If you give it a good soak before it goes into the new pot, it will help it re-hydrate and will also make those longer viable roots more pliable so you can get them into the pot without breaking them.
If you do end up cutting the "trunk", dab the cut end with cinnamon powder to seal it and prevent rots. Be very careful to NOT get any on the roots.
Thanks for replying. I do have some live roots coming out of the pot at the bottom but it sure does need repotting.
---------- Post Merged at 09:35 PM ----------
Keysguy, Thanks for your help. Once I cut the stem and soak the roots to make them pliable, it can go straight into the potting medium? I have roots coming out of the bottom and sides of the pot so it will be tricky trying to get the orchid out of the pot. Any suggestions about that? I'm assuming I'll be breaking a few roots.
---------- Post Merged at 09:36 PM ----------
Thanks zainal abidin
---------- Post Merged at 09:36 PM ----------
Thanks raybark. I'll do that.
Yeah, what Ray said! Cinnamon is great at reducing fungus infection at the site of cuts & damage, but can suppress root growth. I'd cut the pot apart to try to reduce damage to roots, and then I'd keep the best 5 or 6 roots on the upper part of the 'trunk' and snip off the rest and re-pot.
Thanks everyone. I'm so nervous about cutting and repotting that I keep procrastinating. The blooms have dried and fallen off so there is no excuse now not to do it. I need to keep things in perspective... it's not the end of the world if it doesn't go well.
Maybe this will help too...
cheers,
BD
Thank you Bruce that's very helpful. I didn't know about soaking the bark to see which is rotted. I guess I should start with that first to get ready. Will update you all once I have repotted in a few days (hopefully).