| Q I
have a new Oncidium. It is blooming well, but, to me it seems like
the roots are in poor condition. When the flowers were developing, I
increased the watering frequency as I felt the plant needed the extra
water and now I find that I have some healthy roots but many rotten ones,
too. I have corrected the watering but I’m afraid the plant has been
damaged and the rotten roots will cause problems. Should the plant be
repotted now or should I wait until the flowers have dropped? Can I pot in
a coarser medium and can I treat the rotten roots with some chemical? A You shouldn’t wait to repot your plant if it is in the condition described. Plants in flower are under enough stress carrying the blooms; with inadequate root action they would be forced to utilize all the food reserves in the pseudobulbs. Cut the flowers and enjoy them in water and concentrate on saving your plant and re storing it to health. The medium could be made a little coarser to accommodate your watering practices, but don’t go over board, as the Oncidiinae prefer moderate particle-size medium. Better to clean off the dead roots with sterile shears rather than treat them with chemicals. You will find the surviving roots will quickly branch and re establish in the fresh medium if free of the sodden mass of dead roots. —Andy Easton, Director of Education, American Orchid Society (e-mail aeaston@aos.org). |
Reprinted, with permission, from "Orchids" - The Magazine of the American Orchid Society, August, 2001.