TheNaturePlanet

Root rot in water-cultured Phalaenopsis? Don't panic! Let's talk about how to save the roots. Even plants with rotten roots can be revived and reborn. Newbies, hurry up and take notes~

Causes of root rot:

Watering too frequently: Water culture doesn't mean keeping the plant soaked in water! Many people think water culture is about adding water every day, but as a result, the roots are immersed in stagnant water for a long time, and root rot due to oxygen deficiency is inevitable. Remember: "moist ≠ stagnant water".

Compact growing medium: Even in water culture, if the sphagnum moss or ceramsite padded at the bottom of the container becomes compact and impermeable, water can't drain out.

Stuffy and poorly ventilated environment: Placing it in an air-conditioned room in summer, near a heater in winter, and rarely opening windows creates a high-temperature and high-humidity microenvironment, which is a hotbed for root rot.

First-aid methods:

1. Take out of the container
Gently tap the wall of the container to take out the Phalaenopsis. Cut off all the visible rotten roots (blackened, soft, and slimy) without mercy! Only keep the firm green roots and white root tips (水晶头). After cutting, check again to ensure no rotten roots remain. Let the wounds air-dry for about 10 minutes.

2. Sterilization
Prepare a special revitalizing nutrient solution for Phalaenopsis, dilute it with water at a ratio of 1:500, and soak the treated roots entirely in it for 30 minutes. Let the nutrient solution penetrate every healthy root to sterilize and replenish energy. After soaking, take it out and place it in a well-ventilated and cool place to air-dry for 2 days until the roots become slightly wrinkled and no longer dripping.

3. Repotting
Newbies can directly choose a transparent root-control pot! It has good air permeability and allows you to observe the root condition. Put a layer of ceramsite at the bottom of the pot to prevent water accumulation. Soak the sphagnum moss slightly, squeeze out the water, and loosely wrap the roots. If the root rot is particularly severe, try the "hanging cultivation method" – find a hook to hang the flower stem, keep the roots suspended, and spray water mist on the roots every morning and evening to keep them moist, prompting new roots to grow.

4. Post-care
Do not water the Phalaenopsis immediately after treatment! In the first 2 weeks, spray water mist on the roots once a day with a spray bottle to keep the roots slightly moist. Place it in a shaded area with scattered light, avoiding direct sunlight and air-conditioning vents. After about 2-3 weeks, when white new root tips emerge, it means the roots have recovered. Then, you can start normal water养护, making sure the water level does not exceed half of the roots, and keep the environment well-ventilated.