Dying Orchid Roots! | Evolution of Orchid Care

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

👀 If you only grow one houseplant, grow this! ➡️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4CZaaFuj5J6o6s

[@Tommyr]

I feel your pain Geoff. I was a Phalaenopsis killer for many years, due to overwatering. I finally decided to switch to clear pots so I could see the roots. Green roots, don't water. Gray roots, water. That worked for me! No more killing Phalaenopsis! As you know overwatering is probably the single biggest killer of any houseplant. We tend to want to baby these things and it's not really necessary. I have a Den. primulinum (now polyanthum) that I got in 2014 and I have not got it to re-boom since. It came to me in bloom and was beautiful but I've never been able to re-bloom it so far. I've tried many different changes and so far, no luck! Cooler temps in winter, less water in winter, NO water in winter. New canes grow every year, last year was my longest cane to date but still no blooms. Frustrating!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I know what you mean. I suppose that's the frustration and occasional satisfaction of it. As far as overwatering goes, I'm trying to approach it from the opposite angle in that if pots are staying wet it's the pots, media and lack of airflow that's the issue. These plants are used to copious amounts of rain in nature yet don't succumb to rot - probably because they get great air flow and the roots aren't all constricted in a plastic pot! Like you - I'll just keep trying things and adjusting. It just takes a long time (and a lot of dead orchids!🤣).

[@Tommyr]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 I was thinking of trying to not use any media, just place the plant in the pot and water well and let dry. As you would a mounted plant. I think I'll try that with a new phal the next time I buy one. I probably tried that in the past but I can't remember!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@Tommyr That's definitely the next step for me too! If the large chunky bark doesn't dry out then it's a pot of air!

[@peteruk8925]

Hi Geoff regarding your large bark, it's only necessary on big roots like for Phalaenopis / Cattleya /Cymbidiums etc, Small bark necessary for finer root's like for Paphiopedilum / Oncidium / Odontoglossum etc , to help opening up mix add Growstones to give extra air and drainage. Hopefully this helps Geoff.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah thanks Peter I've done that to varying degrees over the last few years - in this video I was having to be very general. My main issue is that in the greenhouse they just don't dry out through the long winter months - whether they're fine roots or thick roots. And since I've dropped the minimum temperature to 8°C the problem is even worse. I'm getting to the stage that if the larger coconut husks won't dry sufficiently I'll have to either start mounting things or just leave them in nothing but air!

[@peteruk8925]

Hi Geoff thanks for your reply, 8c is far to low even for 'cool' types Cymbidiums etc I believe 10c is absolute minimum. I think there comes a point that we need to concentrate on plants we can grow ( myself included ) ,and give up wasting money / room taken up on benches / watching your plant(s) slowly die ! I've grown Orchids for over 30 yrs and now stopped completely and grow Nepenthes and other carnivorous plants, which don't mind being wet (depending on type) , just fascinating plants to grow!! Peter

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

It's funny how even experienced growers will argue (debate?) over such things. I had a minimum of 12°C for several years until 2 months ago when a lady did a talk at the local orchid society. She was a well-known 'award-winning' grower of cool orchids and a British Orchid Society judge. I asked what minimum temperature she kept her orchids. 8°C was the reply - hence my shift in temperature. I totally agree with you that sooner or later I'll have to get real and start growing plants more suited to the environment I have - just not yet. I'm with you on the Nepenthes and could easily grow more. They're just so expensive over here. Do you know a good source other that hants fly traps and scot's carnivores? (Both are very pricey) Ideally, someone I could swap duplicates and cuttings with would save us all a few quid!

[@ev8870]

I agree that watering is the key. Maybe a wick, or layering some sphagnum moss in with the bark, might help keep the moisture more even through the pot.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah - and I suppose I should experiment with non organic media too.👍

[@marthalazar3021]

I grow my orchids in my home in NYC. My biggest challenge is keeping the humidity up in the winter. I keep my heat low at night, which stressed my Phalaenopsis Bellina and killed most of the roots. I have been trying to baby it back to health by keeping it away from my drafty door in the cool weather. Next challenge is to get a better handle on the dry, winter rest.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I don't know if you've watched Nicole's channel (@Nicole Deanna) - I'm sure she lives in NYC too - so you'll be able to compare directly with how she does things. Tell her I sent you! 🤣 Most Phals really don't like temps much below 17°C which can be difficult if you have cold nights - similar to over here. I've found that Dendrobiums are pretty easy regarding a winter rest in that you simply don't water them! Unless of course they shrivel up too much or have started coming into growth. A pump action sprayer is excellent for them in that it doesn't give too much water and saturate pots but gives just enough to hydrate. I've only discovered this very recently! Good luck!

[@marthalazar3021]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 I have found Nicole’s channel. And she’s absolutely in NYC. I bought humidifiers this year, which made me and the plants happier.

[@tomfurmby88]

I can relate to this problem. I have mostly managed to solve these issues using self watering pots but I don't think they would work as well in a greenhouse. They work absolutely fine down to 10 decrees C at mine. Basically my pots stay damp all year long and I don't mind. Why? Because they are potted in such well draining airy mixes that would normally dry out in no time at all they can stay damp and not cause rot because they are so airy at the same time. You cannot do the same in bark as it would become soggy over time and stay too wet. My preferred mix is lecca with a tiny bit of perlite sprinkled in to fall into the holes and add more water retention. This works for any orchid, you just use more or less perlite depending on how wet or dry the roots should stay. The most important and vital part is a good wick to snake around the inside of the pot so it spreads moisture up the pot. The pot stays wet all the time but this is absolutely fine even in winter. It's because of the media you are using. Rot sets in when the media becomes too saturated, too compact and the conditions in the greenhouse do not dry it fast enough. This doesn't happen in lecca since it has such a high ratio of air pockets to water retention you can keep it damp and it will still have enough air in the pot to prevent rot. But you need the wick as lecca is so airy it will become too dry for orchid roots if it isn't kept moist all the time. This is where the perlite comes in, it creates a more even distribution of humidity through the pot and is needed for dendrobiums, seedlings, and other fine rooted orchids. Vanda's can be tricky and I'd avoid it with them unless you know how to keep the pot extremely airy but hydrated at the same time. I don't know why self watering pots are not more popular, I suppose it is harder to fertilize and it's easy to get the water distribution through the pot wrong, the main adjustment I think most cannot handle is one is hardly watering anymore, one only tops up the water from time to time but the pot has to deliver the water to the roots themselves and orchids with short roots can have a hard time getting enough hydration as the top dries out more than the bottom of the pot. It takes a bit of practice but I don't think it's that hard. I just start with lecca and I add perlite if and when I feel the pot needs to stay more hydrated. So basically with my way of growing if I see an orchid showing shriveling pseudobulbs I do not water more, all I do is add a bit of perlite to the pot to keep the roots more hydrated and that sorts it right out. So you have to adopt a different way of thinking when growing with self watering pots. The amount of fertilizer and the ph control of the water become far more important but it does work great. There are some youtubers that try growing this way and they get decent results. One improves over time, it can also set ones orchids back adjusting them to an inorganic media initially and for some people that transition is not worth it for them. It did take my plants a year to adjust but it was worth it in the long run.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

To be honest since I started watering with a sprayer rather than drenching them, and using more of a mossy mixture rather than bark, I don't appear to have had anywhere near the same problems with rotting roots. I think the mites were also affecting things but I wasn't aware I had them for the longest time. I do have some lecca but haven't even tried it yet - I'll try to remember your media suggestion with it - might save me some repots and some watering which I'm all for!

[@TanyaD22]

Thank you for sharing. It has been interesting looking at how you solved the problems you have faced. I live in sun tropical environment and since first starting my journey with orchids I have struggled with Amy of this issues you have because I have followed advise from people in environments different to mine. I like have you approached the evolution of breaking down the problem to come up with a solution that meets the needs of your environment 🙂

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks! I wouldn't say I've solved all of these issues - and I think if I was growing in a grow room rather than a greenhouse I'd have fewer problems (or perhaps just different ones!). But I keep trying and adjusting - it's all any of us can do.😁

[@Experiment.626]

I did the same technique with my orchids larger grade medium and a light mister for watering and it’s worked great

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Glad to hear it worked for you and that I'm on the right track.😁 (Getting tired of throwing expensive, dead orchids away...🤣)

[@Anerammos2]

Have you considered installing a fan to increase the airflow? Ventilation is after all only possible in the summer but a fan could run during the colder months.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I currently have four fans operating 24/7 in there. Maybe I need more! 🤔

[@Anerammos2]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 Hhhmm, that's a tricky one. Perhaps a repositioning closer to/over the orchids?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@Anerammos2 Yeah - I think I just need a few more or replacements for the ones I have - which to be honest aren't working all that well! But now that we're well into spring, many of my growing problems vanish into the wind...😁

[@Druexotics]

I found that spraying like you said gives moisture but not the saturation like you said but another simple thing and I know people don’t like fans on their plants in winter but fans helps the transpiration cycle in the plants when the roots are good it will pull the moisture to the leafs where the fan will be drying them out it’s just like us when we sweat with no breeze the evaporation doesn’t occur at the same rate. I mean think about it if your sweating and losing water we drink more because we are thirsty same with plants if you cause the natural cycle of evaporation from their leaves the plant will tell the roots to find water in the pot

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah definitely, Andrew - I have fans, but possibly could do with a few more...Things will definitely improve once I can get the doors and windows open for the reasons you've explained.

[@carmellacarey3553]

Happy Easter Geoff!!!!😁

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

You too, Carmella!!🥚

[@DuyNguyen-lo2mm]

I'm testing a new transplant with straight up clay balls. In Vietnam they plant straight up with charcoal but they have 80% humidity.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah I'm currently trying LECA with a few different plants. Does have some benefits over organic media - other than lack nutrients of course.

[@grannyplants1764]

Hi Geoff, Sorry I can’t offer any help, my 2 Phalenopsis orchids are barely hanging on til they can go out when it’s warm. But you still have ones blooming ! And what was the name of the cool one that looks like a bunch of grapes on the soil? Never saw one like that! 🌱

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I'm getting there - slowly! The bunch of grapes is a coelogyne cristata (an orchid) - hasn't bloomed yet but I know why. Fingers are crossed for next year.🤞

[@grannyplants1764]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 thank you! I used to go to the NYC Botanical Gardens in the Bronx every April for their International Orchid Show. OMG amazing... tons of orchids among tropical and rare plants 😱 It’s going on now I believe, I’ll have to see if there is a You Tube showing it. Sigh darn long haul Covid cramps my travels .... 🌱🦠

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

Having watched a talk from a commercial grower, one interesting tidbit hit me. A plant that is getting sufficient light will utilize more water than one that is not. Why? Because photosynthesis uses water, so a plant that is photosynthesizing more will use more water. Two plants in identical temperature/humidity but two different light levels will dry at differing rates because of the difference in photosynthesis rates. So perhaps lack of adequate light played more of a part in plants failing in the greenhouse than I thought.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah absolutely - it sounds an intuitive conclusion. I'm also thinking about using less and less media at all - if any, for those orchids that refuse to dry out. I suppose you could say I'll be mounting them without the actual mounting! I'm fighting hard against my instinct of many years growing in a temperate climate to bury roots in compost...🤷‍♂️🤣

[@helencriddle3651]

I think you answered your own question in the first 10 minutes. Your orchids need different watering regimes depending on the season and weather within the season, so you should tailor your watering to what works best for them at the time of year. 😊

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I know what you're saying Helen - but I find if I don't water or really reduce it then I get dehydrated pseudobulbs. Damned if you do and damned if you don't kind of thing!🤣 I definitely alter amounts depending on weather, but I'm really trying adjust the media and pot setup so that they get more airflow in the first place - regardless of season. I'll get there eventually but I might have a long line of dead orchids behind me...🤣

[@wildflowers477]

I would use alot of fans to increase air movment

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I have added several since this video was made. 😁

[@lesleyannhartman762]

The orchids all need different watering regimes…I have managed to find what works (mostly). Although after two years the Cuthbertsonii is looking very sad atm. I re-potted thinking it was the medium but now praying over it 🤔. Sometimes they just die 😳

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah I realise this - was just being generic. I do have orchid successes - honestly I do! - but tend to focus on the failures for some reason. I too have struggled with Dend. cuthbertsonii. I saw a talk recently about them and the lady said that despite the best care they frequently die after a couple of years - which has been my exact experience too. I seem to have managed to nurse one single plant through winter and lost 3 others...😫

[@lesleyannhartman762]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 it’s very interesting to hear the experience of others. I won’t feel so bad if my Cuthbersonii does turn it’s toes up now. Yes, I know you have orchid successes…I didn’t mean to infer otherwise 😊. Plus you have success with loads of other amazing plants! Your channel is always worth watching 😊

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I think it might be a British thing to focus on failures rather than successes! 🤣 Or maybe it’s just me…🤔🤷‍♂️

[@lesleyannhartman762]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 Never focus on failures Geoff…Just use them to build on 😊. You have a great collection!

[@peteruk8925]

Hopefully received earlier message today Geoff

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yes - I replied so maybe you haven't seen mine? KZbin comments are so hit and miss.

[@lordnagatron]

You should grow a beautiful marijuana plant in there, they are such gorgeous tropical leaves and vibrance!!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Haha! If only they weren't illegal in the UK...🤷‍♂️🤣 Although I think Begonia luxurians looks very similar.