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Concerned with my phal's roots!

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Alexia, Apr 6, 2018.

  1. Apr 6, 2018 #1
    Alexia

    Alexia New Member

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    Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum and to caring for orchids in general. I received this phal as a gift and would really love to take care of it as best as I can. I noticed white fuzz on some of the roots that seem soft and hollow. The firm silvery green roots don't seem to be affected. Should I be concerned? 20180404_181432.jpg 20180404_181520.jpg
     

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  2. Apr 7, 2018 #2
    Chuck-NH

    Chuck-NH Well-Known Member

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    Hi Alexia,

    Welcome! I'm not a Phal expert, but seeing another similar post in the last day, I would say your plant looks pretty good. I would say that the hollow roots are dead and possibly just getting some secondary mold. Sterilize a sharp tool and cut off the dead roots. Did you just recently repot? Looks like you have fairly chunky bark and quite a bit of drainage material in the bottom of the pot...not a bad thing, but will mean you will need to water more often
     
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  3. Apr 7, 2018 #3
    Alexia

    Alexia New Member

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    Thank you! I did repot last month because it was tightly packed in sphagnum moss and I could barely see the roots at all. Is it harmful if I leave it as is and don't cut off the dead roots?
     
  4. Apr 8, 2018 #4
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Hi, Alexia.

    It will likely be fine. I agree with Chuck about the plant needing more water, and with that, the old roots will begin to decompose, but that's OK too.
     
  5. Apr 8, 2018 #5
    Chuck-NH

    Chuck-NH Well-Known Member

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    Agree with Ray, a few dead roots are ok as long as you have healthy growing roots coming along
     
  6. Apr 8, 2018 #6
    Alexia

    Alexia New Member

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    So I repotted it again to try to remove some of the dead roots. What I discovered was that the bottoms of the roots that looked dead were still firm and healthy looking. I did cut off a few dead roots, but left the ones that were healthy on the bottom. Thanks everyone!
     
  7. Apr 9, 2018 #7
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    When roots grow, they do so by adding new cells. As a cell is added, it becomes "tailored" to the environment in which it is growing, and once it has done so, it cannot change.

    If that environment changes, due to repotting or the decomposition of the current medium, those cells are no longer optimal for that new environment, so will begin to fail - the rate determined by just how different the old and new environments are - and will need to be replaced by new roots. That is why the best time to root anything is just as new roots are emerging from the base of the plant.

    In your situation, those plump root tips may very well have grown and are/were functioning well, but the damaged tissue in between them and the plant will continue to fail, ultimately separating the otherwise healthy parts from the plant.