How to Revive Orchids with Rotten Roots
The editor explains how to save orchids with rotten roots and understand the reasons for blackened and withered leaf tips in green plants and flowers. Let's delve into the details together.
During the orchid flowering period, many orchid enthusiasts enjoy the fragrance of blooming orchids in their homes, while some新手 orchid enthusiasts are worried, as their orchids do not produce flower buds or grow. When they repot them, they find that the roots are all rotten. Don't panic in this situation; clean them up and check. Even if there are no roots left, as long as we don't give up and take good care of them, the sick and damaged orchids can still recover. Today, Xiao Ye brings you 7 practical tips for strengthening weak orchids, let's take a look!
1: Clean thoroughly
After discovering sick, weak, or damaged orchids, be sure to clean them properly. Many新手 have a habit of panicking when they see most of the roots rotten, and they start cursing the seller right away. This is not correct. We need to correct our mindset and regain our confidence, which is very important and the foundation for the following steps.
After adjusting our mindset, use sterilized tools to remove the rotten and diseased roots, then soak them in a carbendazim solution according to the instructions. Do not overdo the sterilization time, as it can also harm the weak orchids. Then place them in a cool, well-ventilated area to dry. In the north, during winter with heating but no open windows, you can hang them upside down to dry without overheating, as it is not good for orchids.
2: Prepare pots and planting materials
Orchids with damaged roots cannot be planted like normal orchids and need different pots and planting materials. When choosing a pot, select one that is about the same size as the orchid, and do not use an overly large pot for weak orchids, as their roots cannot easily absorb water and nutrients and may develop diseases due to poor ventilation.
How to Revive Orchids with Rotten Roots
In choosing planting materials, try to use slightly dry ones and avoid water-retaining materials like seaweed, as weak seedlings are prone to damping off and waterlogging. Since their ability to absorb water and nutrients is low, it is recommended to use simple materials. Add more granules to the planting material mix to increase both air and water permeability.
3: Potting
Weak orchids should not be planted too deep; they should be slightly shallow to allow the roots to regrow easily. After planting the weak orchid, support it with a stake if necessary to prevent it from shaking constantly, which could affect root growth. After potting, wait 1-2 days before watering to let it adapt to the environment of the planting material, then water thoroughly.
4: Water requirements for weak seedlings
Weak seedlings do not require much water because they have a low water absorption capacity. However, since the planting material is slightly dry, watering should still be timely. Generally speaking, caring for weak orchids should be slightly drier than caring for normal plants, so the orchids can grow better. If you are a northern orchid enthusiast growing orchids indoors during winter, be sure to pay attention to ventilation, as long-term stuffiness is extremely harmful to the growth of weak orchids.