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Concerned about black roots and stem with white and black spots

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by OrchidCrush, Feb 20, 2020.

  1. Feb 20, 2020 #1
    OrchidCrush

    OrchidCrush New Member

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    Hello!
    I am new to the orchid world and last year I purchased my first three phal orchids.
    One of them has already bloomed two flowers and another is on the way!
    But... I have noticed some things that concern me because I hadn't noticed them before. To be honest I really don't know if it's even a change. I just recently started to get very interested in growing orchids because I managed to keep them alive for a full year and now they are blooming. That has motivated me to dig deeper into the care for orchids.

    But now for my concerns.

    This phal has some black air roots, one of the leafs is almost yellow and the stem has some white and black spots. Is this some bacteria? Did this happen because of over watering? Or what could have caused this?
    IMG_9182.jpg IMG_9184.jpg IMG_9185.jpg

    None of my other two orchids have this. They look very healthy and green.
     
  2. Feb 21, 2020 #2
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Personally, I see nothing there that is worth worrying about, other than the plant likely needing to be repotted into fresh growing medium.
     
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  3. Feb 22, 2020 #3
    OrchidCrush

    OrchidCrush New Member

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    I’ve been doing research on repotting. The first orchid I had I put in a big pot. It’s still alive and blooming as well but I’m sure I went to big with the pot. Anyways... I’m thinking I’m gonna go with plastic container and charcoal. It’s currently in moss. Should I mix a bit of the two when I do it? Also, I’m assuming I should repot after the flowers fall?
     
  4. Feb 22, 2020 #4
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Nobody can give you a direct answer about what potting material to use, because how the potting medium and your growing conditions and watering habits interact to provide for the needs of the plant will vary from individual to individual.

    in my experience, phalaenopsis prefer an evenly moist, but very airy potting medium. Charcoal can work, if you’re able to water it frequently enough, but maybe adding some sphagnum would be better. Be aware, however, that if you make a significant change in the pot environment, it is likely that the existing roots will not be compatible with it, so will need to be replaced by new roots. That is why the best time to repot is just when new roots are emerging from the base of the plant. The new roots will grow optimized for the new environment while the old ones fade away.
     
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  5. Feb 22, 2020 #5
    OrchidCrush

    OrchidCrush New Member

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    This is great to know! Thank you for your time explaining this.