What to do if orchids have rotten roots
If you want to know what to do if orchids have rotten roots and the solutions for orchid root rot, let's take a look together!
Do you want to admire a beautiful pot of orchids? Of course you do, but before that, you must take good care of the orchids. To take good care of orchids, you need to take care of their roots. As the saying goes, "good roots make the seedlings strong," which allows the orchids to grow and reproduce more vigorously. It's not that easy to take care of them, for instance, what should you do if orchids have rotten roots? Let's talk about the solutions for orchid root rot.
【Solutions for orchid root rot】
<1>
Orchids come in many varieties, and the required sunlight exposure varies. Most need 4 hours of sunlight. If sunlight is severely lacking and the light is dim, the potting mix does not dry easily, leading to root rot.
<2>
Orchids prefer a relatively humid environment, and their roots also need relatively stable temperature and humidity. If it's too hot or too dry, it can cause orchid root rot. Especially in summer, proper ventilation, sunlight, and humidity control are essential.
<3>
If the environment is humid, hot, and not well-ventilated, watering can easily lead to root rot. Watering orchids should be based on the variety, growth condition, and local climate. It should be moist but not wet, and dry but not arid. Do not overwater or underwater, following the principle of "not dry in autumn, not wet in winter."
What to do if orchids have rotten roots
<4>
Orchids have fleshy roots that store a lot of water and cannot absorb high concentrations of fertilizer, especially when the roots are injured. The roots can be damaged by fertilizer, causing root rot. Therefore, when fertilizing, apply thin and frequent fertilizers. Also, when using fermented organic fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer, do not place it too close to the roots to avoid root rot.
<5>
When you find orchids with root rot, you need to change the soil and repot with planting materials. The quality and water absorption/drainage performance of the planting materials should be considered. Burnt soil or dry soil, charcoal, etc., are good planting materials. You can also mix some coarse sand around the root zone for better results.
<6>
In addition to ensuring good drainage in the potting mix, the planting material near the base of the pseudobulb to the root area should be compact. The pseudobulb should be planted a bit deeper, which not only protects it but also prevents it from swaying or floating above the soil surface. Rotten roots and yellowing leaves should be cut off to reduce nutrient loss and store nutrients in the pseudobulb for root development.
<7>
When orchids are threatened by pests and diseases, it can cause root rot. In such cases, people often focus only on pest and disease control and ignore the presence of root rot. Pest control is crucial, but you should also check if the roots are rotten and repot promptly.
<Conclusion>
Here is a detailed introduction to what to do if orchids have rotten roots and the solutions for orchid root rot. Do you understand now?