Nature and Gardening

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Any advice for my winter-weary Orchid? (beehaw.org)

submitted 14 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago) by Sub_dermal@beehaw.org to c/greenspace@beehaw.org

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My Orchid struggled in the winter cold, and I'm a little worried about its recovery - I'm not sure why there are roots growing away from the soil (I understand the 'silvering' is a bad sign, although it's only on the ones growing upwards). Does anyone have any advice about keeping the plant happy and healthy? Appreciate any tips people may have!

EDIT: Thanks everyone for helping me identify that the roots were rotting from over-watering. It turns out I hadn't just over-watered it the once, it's been steadily drowning over a long period... I've removed the water it was swimming in and given it a fresh (and much smaller) amount to keep it going. I'll have to keep a better eye on how much I'm watering this thing - thanks to you all for helping this novice save the plant (that he could have easily killed... 😬)!

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[–] Calfpupa@lemmy.ml 12 points 14 hours ago

No orchid should sit in water like this, that's going to rot the roots

[–] wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 13 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) (1 children)

As others have said, that's way too much water. My wife usually puts one or two ice cubes on top of the soil around once a week and that seems to work well for ours.

Edit: sounds like this isn't a good idea after all. Apologies.

[–] Sub_dermal@beehaw.org 3 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Ice cubes? interesting - I would have thought that could shock the plant, thanks for the tip!

[–] Suru@mander.xyz 5 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

Orchids are tropical plants, please do not use ice cubes or even cold water. A thorough, lukewarm soak whenever the roots turn silver will do the trick. The plant should never sit in water for extended periods of time.

You should also cut off any blackened / mushy roots as those are already rotted and the rot may spread if it's left as is.

[–] Sub_dermal@beehaw.org 2 points 12 hours ago

Thanks - will do!

[–] artifex@piefed.social 6 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

I your growing medium always as wet as it is in the photo? If so, it should be less wet.

[–] Sub_dermal@beehaw.org 3 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

No, I think I over-watered it the other day - normally it's far less wet!

[–] LallyLuckFarm@beehaw.org 4 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

Is the inner pot holding the roots sitting on the bottom of the larger pot? That would be contributing to the issue if it is. Some stones or another material to lift the inner pot off the bottom will allow the orchid to drain more readily.

[–] Sub_dermal@beehaw.org 3 points 12 hours ago

Ah - yes I hadn't even considered that (still a novice!); I'll get some stones to lift it up a smidge - thanks!

[–] Lemmyoutofhere@lemmy.ca 3 points 14 hours ago

You can see the roots rotting.