TheNaturePlanet

As a common New Year's flower, due to poor ventilation or improper watering, Phalaenopsis is very prone to root rot problems. When the roots of Phalaenopsis are rotten, how can we make it root again? Even if all the roots of Phalaenopsis are rotten, is there still a possibility of saving it?
There are various reasons for the root rot of Phalaenopsis, mainly including damaged roots, excessive water absorption by sphagnum moss, insufficient oxygen supply, etc. The key to preventing root rot lies in controlling watering, keeping the planting medium moist but not overly wet, and ensuring good ventilation conditions at the same time.
Rescue steps for root rot of Phalaenopsis
Clean the original planting medium: After finding that the roots of Phalaenopsis are rotten, immediately take it out of the pot and gently clean the original planting medium, such as sphagnum moss, bark, etc. by hand. Be careful during cleaning to avoid damaging the healthy roots.
Trim and disinfect the roots: Use disinfected scissors to trim off the empty roots and rotten roots. Then, soak the Phalaenopsis plant in a carbendazim aqueous solution (usually prepared as a 1000-fold solution) for about 30 minutes, or spray the trimmed parts with 75% alcohol for disinfection. After disinfection, place the plant in a ventilated place to dry and let the wounds heal.
Replace the planting medium: Since root rot has occurred, there may be too many harmful bacteria in the original planting medium, so it is necessary to completely replace it with a new one. You can choose a planting medium with good air permeability, such as bark, perlite, etc. Before potting, soak the planting medium in water first, and then use it after squeezing out the water.
When repotting, first put a layer of planting medium at the bottom of the pot, then put the roots of the Phalaenopsis into the pot, fill it with the planting medium and press it slightly. For Phalaenopsis with severely rotten roots, the following rooting methods can be adopted:
Method of attaching to the surface of the planting medium: Directly attach the roots to the planting medium, keep the planting medium moist, and wait for rooting. This method is suitable for the situation where the roots are short.
Threading method: Tie a thread or rope to the roots to guide water to the roots and keep the planting medium moist. This method allows the roots to absorb water more naturally, and the rooting process is more worry-free.
Hydroponic method: Find a transparent container, add an appropriate amount of water, and sprinkle rooting powder and water-soluble fertilizers containing trace elements. Gently soak the roots of the Phalaenopsis in the water, and pay attention that the water level should not be too high, about 1 centimeter away from the roots. Change the water regularly during the hydroponic period to keep the water quality clean.
Let the seedlings recover in a ventilated place: After repotting, place the Phalaenopsis in a well-ventilated place with bright light to let the seedlings recover. Do not fertilize temporarily, and gradually resume normal maintenance when the Phalaenopsis seedlings start to grow again.
Even if all the roots of Phalaenopsis are rotten, as long as its stems and leaves are not rotten, there is still a possibility of saving it. The key is to take rescue measures in a timely manner and patiently wait for new roots to grow. During the rescue process, keep the planting medium moist but not overly wet, and ensure good ventilation conditions at the same time.
Root rot of Phalaenopsis is not incurable. As long as we master the correct rescue methods and wait patiently, we can make it regain its vitality. During the maintenance process, pay attention to controlling watering, maintaining ventilation, regularly replacing the planting medium, etc., to prevent the occurrence of root rot problems.