The roots of the orchid are rotten, what should I do? Saving an orchid: how to revive it if the roots are deteriorating or have already rotted? How to tell if a plant's roots are rotting

No matter how carefully we monitor our pet, unfortunately, no one is immune from mistakes: sometimes the phalaenopsis rots root system, the leaves turn yellow and lose their elasticity. This can happen for various reasons, but main factor– non-compliance with the watering regime. Let's take a closer look at why the roots of an orchid rot and how to prevent the plant from dying.

What color should a healthy shoot be, and how does it differ from one that has already rotted? Considering that an orchid pot is always transparent, it is easy to assess the condition of its root system. A healthy plant should be dense and hard, light gray-green in color, without yellowing. If the roots turn yellow, begin to turn white, or lose their elasticity, this indicates that your pet has serious pathological abnormalities, which means urgent resuscitation is necessary.

Contrary to popular belief, you should not be alarmed that the roots of your phalaenopsis have grown excessively and there is no longer room for them in the pot: there is nothing wrong with this, as long as they do not start to rot. Remember, the main indicator of the health of a phalaenopsis orchid is not the shape of the root processes, but their condition and color.

Why do the roots rot?

There can be many reasons why orchid roots rot. Most often this happens for one of the following reasons:

  • flaw sunlight. Along with excessive watering, this factor very often leads to the fact that the orchid’s roots begin to rot. We all know that the root system of orchids takes an active part in photosynthesis, and lack of lighting affects its condition in the worst way;
  • fungal diseases. It also happens that the roots begin to rot not at all due to violation of care requirements, but due to damage by pathogenic infections. To save your pet from such danger, do not forget to regularly carry out preventive treatments of the plant with special means;
  • excess water. If the orchid is watered a lot and often, of course, over time the substrate will begin to mold and the leaves will gradually turn yellow. Then we can say for sure that your plant has rotten roots. You should not be overly zealous with watering - by doing this you are not helping your pet, but on the contrary, harming it;
  • substrate depletion. Few people know that replanting an orchid also eliminates the risk of rotting. The fact is that the earthen substrate has its own resource, as it is depleted, it needs to be replaced. After all, pieces of bark gradually crumble, and the substrate itself becomes compacted, and accordingly, the roots suffer. What to do? Replant the orchid immediately.

Orchid resuscitation

If the roots of an orchid have rotted, the first thing you need to do is remove it from the pot and thoroughly rinse it to remove any remaining substrate. If root shoots remain at the base of the stem, this is good sign– an orchid without roots has less chance of survival. Now we proceed to the procedure itself, cutting off all damaged shoots, as well as those that have a slippery coating white, limp, brown or dried out parts. After this, the plant needs to be thoroughly air-dried for several hours. Only then will it become clear whether the entire root rosette has rotted, or whether there are shoots that have not disappeared.

If after drying you find a yellowed or dry area of ​​the root system, remove it too. All cut shoots must be treated with alcohol and roots, this gives a better chance of recovery.

Now we are preparing the substrate: for it you will need sphagnum moss and expanded clay. The plant is placed in this mixture, keeping the soil slightly moist and the room temperature at +25 degrees, and soon your orchid will have new roots. True, this method is suitable for those cases when the orchid has rotted, but healthy root shoots remain. If all the roots of the orchid have rotted, then extensions will be needed.

How to grow roots

If all the roots have rotted, without a trace, you can get out of the situation by removing all the shoots and then growing them again. To do this, select the highest quality plant with suitable density and structure, place the plant in it and keep it warm, rarely watering it, mainly in the morning.

Prevention of rotting

As you can see, saving an orchid if the roots have rotted is difficult, but possible. Of course, to prevent the plant from completely dying, you will have to tinker, read a lot of specialized literature, and even learn new skills. But first we need to understand why the orchid’s roots are affected, etc.

Remember: white aerial roots do not at all indicate any pathology; perhaps the plant simply needs watering. But if the root shoots turn yellow, the shoots inside the pot turn white - this is already bad.

Immediately review the conditions in which your flower is kept and eliminate all factors that could cause the roots to rot: do not overdo it with watering, observe the lighting regime, and prevent fungal infections in a timely manner. Healthy plants do not turn yellow; they delight us with their blooming view. But in any case, you already know how to save an orchid with rotten roots and what to do if your orchid’s roots have rotted, how to replant and restore the plant, and you will definitely do everything right.

Video “The roots of the orchid have rotted”

From this video you will learn what needs to be done if the roots of an orchid have rotted.

Literally every owner of such rather capricious flowers as phalaenopsis definitely needs to know how to revive an orchid without resorting to the help of specialists.

These plants are some of the most capricious indoor flowers and require a special approach. Orchids mainly come from the tropics, and in a city apartment it is not easy to create a tropical climate, but it is still possible.

The article describes the causes of wilting, as well as tips on how to revive an orchid. Using them, you can revive other types of phalaenopsis plants.

Objectively possible causes of orchid disease

In an orchid, leaf wilting can occur as a natural process, but it can also be due to improper and untimely care. If the leaves wither in small quantities at the bottom of the stem, this is a normal, natural phenomenon. It is not recommended to help the process by picking off wilted leaves with your hands; they should fall off on their own. During wilting, the leaves give up all the nutrients to the plant and eventually fall off.

Orchids that have all their leaves looking limp are obviously susceptible to disease. After a short time, the foliage turns yellow and falls off. Incompetent care may be to blame. In such cases, resuscitation of the orchid should be carried out as soon as possible.

Possible causes of unnatural leaf wilting:

  • temperature conditions do not meet the requirements;
  • excess or lack of moisture;
  • inappropriate feeding;
  • wrong soil;
  • illiteracy during transplantation.

Orchid resuscitation: methods for use at home

If the flower is left without roots, do not throw it away. In fact, tropical plants proper care and patience, very cheerful and resilient. How to save an orchid without roots? Experienced flower growers are considering several possible methods.

How to revive an orchid at home:

  1. Using a home greenhouse.
  2. With the help of regular watering and drying, but without a greenhouse.
  3. Planting a plant in a regular substrate.

Before reviving an orchid, it is necessary to assess its condition and only after that choose the maximum effective method. For example, if a plant that has lost less than 50% of its root can be revived in a month, then a flower that has completely lost its root may require special care for a whole year.

What determines which method will help to quickly revive a flower:

  • what condition is the orchid in?
  • the number and condition of leaves on the plant;
  • the main factor is the presence of horse primordia at the bottom of the leaf rosette;
  • conditions created by the florist under which the orchid is resuscitated.

The leaves have become limp - this is a signal of possible overheating

If the orchid leaves turn yellow, flabbiness and lethargy are observed - the plant has suffered from overheating. Pay attention to where the pot is located. If it is a window sill, with open blinds or curtains, or if there is a source of heating for the room nearby, these factors can largely influence the overheating of the plant.

Is it possible to resuscitate the plant in this case? You can help the plant, the main thing is not to hesitate in action. You need to remove the pot with the plant from harmful factors and do nothing for several hours, this will help the flower cool down. Watering a heated flower can lead to the death of leaves and sepsis of the tissues of the stem part. When the flower leaves the heat, you can begin standard watering and spraying of the leaves.

It is worth noting that resuscitation will not occur immediately, but after several days, observing the conditions of proper care. To prevent overheating again, change the location of the flowerpot to a cooler one.

Important: the orchid is not friendly with direct sunlight; a comfortable location would be a shaded, not hot place.

Restoring a plant after incorrect watering

Without proper watering, the plant's root system may suffer, resulting in wilting and complete loss of leaves. As an example from the wild, you can take a tropical climate, where there are often warm rains, and at the same time wild orchids feel comfortable. And even being completely in water for some time, the roots dry out; this is facilitated by sufficient air circulation. Following nature's example, homemade orchids can only be watered when the soil is thoroughly dry. Otherwise, the flower will die completely.

The time between watering depends on the conditions in which the flower is located (temperature, air humidity, lighting, substrate composition, fertilizers, soil feeding).

If the size of the pot is large, the soil will dry out slowly, this will cause the roots to rot; the best planting vessel will be a narrow and tall container. Conversely, infrequent watering can cause the roots to dry out and eventually the plant may dry out.

Important! Good ventilation of the root system and timely watering are necessary. Do not allow the roots to dry out!

The successful growth of orchids largely depends on the substrate. Over time, any soil becomes compacted, which prevents good ventilation of the root system. This can subsequently lead to disease or even death of the plant. To avoid this outcome, the substrate should be updated regularly. The incorrect composition of the substrate also has an adverse effect on the health of the flower. It is recommended to use as a leavening agent crushed pine bark, pieces are calibrated to be at least 1 cm in size.

Necessary resuscitation actions:

  • It is necessary to wash the roots in warm water.
  • Replace the substrate.

Watering the plant after replacing the soil should be done no earlier than 10–12 days later. If you water too early, the roots may begin to rot.

Avoid overdosing of fertilizers and fertilizing

When buying an orchid, we see a healthy and beautiful flower. But appearance can be deceiving. Flower shops practice rich fertilizer flower with various substances, this improves marketable condition. Side effects overdoses will manifest themselves only in the second year of the flower’s life. An unexpected period of exhaustion sets in, the leaves turn yellow and fall off in just a few days. In this case, a regular transplant will not help; saving the plant will require a lot of effort and time.

If the flower is overfed with stimulants, it should be placed in a warm, bright place. For two weeks, exclude any fertilizing and fertilizers..

After two weeks, the plant can be lightly fed using special fertilizers for orchids, diluted with water in a 50/50 ratio. Repeated feeding can be done after two weeks. But this time use nitrogen fertilizer. This will produce new leaf growth.

If an orchid blooms without leaves, it can be assumed that this is its last flowering. Since the plant is still very weak and is not able to withstand the flowering that takes a lot of energy.

In case of overdose of fertilizers, using home conditions, the roots must be rinsed well with water and stop watering for 5-6 weeks. Otherwise, the roots will begin to rot. At this time, instead of watering, you need to immerse the roots in water and rinse them, then immerse them in a ventilated pot to dry.

What actions to take when the orchid peduncle dries out?

There are times when the peduncle of an orchid suddenly begins to dry out. When this happens at the end of flowering (about 3 months on average), it is normal. Otherwise, it may be the cause of improper care.

Several reasons that flowering is interrupted:

  • Insufficient or excessive lighting.
  • Insufficient or excessive watering.
  • Nutrient requirements.
  • The plant is located in an area of ​​regular draft.

But if it so happens that the peduncle has dried up, the stem needs to be saved by pruning, leaving a stump of 5 or 10 mm. The root system needs to be washed under running water. Carry out a thorough inspection. If you find dry or beginning to rot roots, remove them. In places of cuts for processing, apply cinnamon. Allow the roots to dry and replant the plant in a new substrate, which includes sphagnum moss and crushed pine bark.

Place the flower in a bright place, but avoid direct exposure to sunlight. Watering should be done when the soil dries, but it would be preferable to use the method of immersing the roots in water. After some time, with proper care, having gained strength, the orchid will again be able to please its owners with beautiful blooms.

Important to remember! Excess moisture, hypothermia, overheating are factors that negatively affect the health of the orchid. Observing everything necessary rules, there is no need to resort to resuscitation of phalaenopsis at all.

Saving an orchid without using a greenhouse?

Comfortable rooting of the plant occurs at a temperature of 20 to 27˚ C, in a place isolated from direct sunlight. Is there a rooting method if a home greenhouse or greenhouse cannot be used?

Having processed the flower rosette, it should be place in a deep glass vessel. Every day in the morning pour filtered water, but so that the water only touches the bottom of the remaining roots. Leave it in water for 6 hours. After the time has passed, drain the water and let the flower dry until the morning. Another feature of fast and effective rooting. Add honey to the water used at the rate of 1 teaspoon of honey per 1 liter of water. In addition, the substrate can be moistened:

  • complex fertilizers in low concentration;
  • feed with iron;
  • Treat once a month with a growth regulator.

How to save an orchid that has lost part of its roots?

In case of partial loss of roots, the plant does not lose its ability to feed normally, so it is possible to grow full-fledged roots. To do this, the flower must be planted in a flowerpot with a diameter of 60–80 mm, using a regular substrate. Give 12 hours of light at a temperature in the region of 20–25˚ C, these conditions stimulate the activation of root primordia. At night, do not lower the temperature, keeping the humidity high.

Watering can be replaced by drip irrigation of the surface layer of soil, or you can place the flower pot in a container with a small amount of water for 30–40 minutes. Re-wetting the soil should be done only after the substrate has completely dried. A new round of root growth will begin in 7–21 days.

Orchids bloom for a long time and beautifully, which is why gardeners love to plant them at home. Phalaenopsis is especially valued: unlike other varieties of this flower, it can bloom all year round. But this tropical plant, and therefore it is very difficult to provide him with a suitable microclimate at home. First, this leads to rotting of the root system, and then to the death of the above-ground part. But don't rush to throw away the pot. Even if all the roots of an orchid have rotted, it is not too late to revive it.

You can suspect root rot in an orchid based on the following signs:

  • drooping leaves. The flower receives nutrition from the soil thanks to its roots. If the root system is rotten, it cannot supply water and minerals. Therefore, the leaves first wither, and even watering does not help them. Then they dry out completely.
  • Green or white coating on the surface of the substrate and the walls of the pot. This is a sign of excess moisture, poor water and air permeability of the soil. Therefore, the orchid became sick with fungi.
  • Loose aerial part of the flower. If the roots are rotten, they cannot securely anchor the plant in the pot. That's why it wobbles like a baby tooth before falling out.
  • The aerial roots have dried out or darkened and become soft. All this indicates rotting of the underground part of the plant.

Advice! It is very convenient to monitor the condition of the root system of an orchid if you plant the flower in a pot with transparent walls. If the roots are white or green, they are fine. If they become dark and thread-like, as in the photo, the plant needs urgent help. Rotten roots feel soft and slimy to the touch, and if you squeeze them, they will release liquid.


Drying leaves do not always indicate a problem with the roots. If they wither only from below, then there is nothing to worry about. This also happens in the natural environment. Wait until the leaves dry completely and only then carefully cut them off.

What causes root rot?

The root system of orchids is very sensitive and reacts to everything that happens around. Roots may begin to rot in the following cases:

  • Overheat. In their natural environment, orchids are never exposed to direct sunlight. Scattered light falls on them. If you place the flower in the sun, the roots quickly overheat. This leads to their death and decay.
  • Overwatering + lack of lighting. In the tropical jungle it rains every day. Therefore, high humidity necessary condition for growing orchids. But if the flower does not receive enough light, the water stagnates in the pot and is not pumped into the above-ground part of the plant. As a result, the leaves become limp and the roots begin to rot.
  • Fungal infections. In conditions high humidity and sufficient warmth, the flower is often affected by fungi. Their mycelium spreads not only in the substrate, but also in the tissues of the root system. As a result, it ceases to cope with its functions and dies.
  • Soil compaction. If the soil has been compacted so much that it is difficult for air and moisture to pass through, favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic microflora. But the roots without access to fresh air Badly. That's why rotting begins.
  • Chemical burn. You decided to feed your green pet, but instead of flower stalks appearing, the plant’s leaves drooped. This indicates that you used too concentrated a solution. mineral fertilizers. Burnt roots die and rot.
  • Pest infestation. The click beetle often lives in houses and apartments. They lay eggs in flower pots, from which the larvae emerge. They are called wireworms. They crawl among the roots and eat them with pleasure. Due to multiple damage, the roots die and rot.

If the orchid's roots have rotted, it can still be saved with a minimum of effort. If the flower has lost its entire root system, it needs urgent resuscitation. Let's look at several ways to save this exotic plant.

Saving an orchid that has lost part of its roots


If the orchid has a few healthy roots left, resuscitation will not take much time. To restore the plant you will need:

  • new pot with pallet;
  • new substrate for orchids;
  • support for fixing the flower in a pot;
  • sharp scissors or tweezers;
  • activated carbon or ground cinnamon;
  • paper towel;
  • warm water;
  • sprayer.

Attention! The substrate for orchids must be special. It can be purchased at flower shop or cook it yourself. The best option– dried sphagnum and pine bark, mixed in a ratio of 1 to 1. You can add peat or coconut fibers.

Instructions for resuscitating a rotten flower:

  1. Remove the plant from the old pot and wash it in warm water its underground part.
  2. Dry the orchid with a paper towel and carefully examine its root system.
  3. Using scissors (tweezers), remove dry, dark, softened and white-coated roots.
  4. Treat the cut areas with cinnamon powder or ground tablets. activated carbon.
  5. Place the orchid in a new pot and fill the free space with the prepared substrate.
  6. Stick a support into the pot and tie the flower. It needs fixing, since the damaged root system is weak and does not provide reliable support for the plant.
  7. Moisten the substrate with a sprayer. It is not advisable to pour water directly into the pot, since there are few roots left and they do not yet need abundant watering. This can cause waterlogging and re-rotting.

Advice! Subsequently, after resuscitating the orchid, water it by pouring water into the pan. Then the plant itself will absorb as much moisture as it needs, without waterlogging the soil.

What to do if the orchid's roots are completely rotten

Sometimes, after examining the root system, it turns out that there are no healthy roots at all. But even in this case, not all is lost. There are two main ways to resuscitate an orchid that has lost 100% of its underground part.

Method one (using a greenhouse)

To restore an orchid using this method you will need:

  • Greenhouse. You can buy it at a flower shop. But an old aquarium can also work if you cover it with a sheet of glass or thick transparent film. For small ones plants will suit even plastic bottle or glass jar. As an option - a five-liter bottle of drinking water.
  • Expanded clay. This is a drainage material widely used by gardeners and flower growers. It absorbs moisture well and releases it to the plant as needed.
  • Sphagnum. This moss is one of the components of the orchid substrate. It is necessary for the successful growth of new roots.
  • Wire for fixing the flower.
  • Sharp knife.

When you have everything at hand, you can begin resuscitation. This needs to be done in stages:

  1. Cut away the rotted roots back to healthy orchid tissue.
  2. Fill the bottom of the greenhouse with expanded clay.
  3. Place moistened sphagnum moss on top. It shouldn't be wet.
  4. Using wire, strengthen the flower as in the photo. It should be at a height of 1-2 cm from the wet moss.
  5. Cover the greenhouse with a sheet of glass or film and place it in a well-lit place with diffused light.
  6. Make sure that the temperature inside the greenhouse is kept at +22...+25 o C. If the temperature is lower, this will lead to increased air humidity and the appearance of fungus. And if it’s higher, the leaves will wilt.
  7. Ventilate the greenhouse daily by opening it for 20 minutes winter time and all night - in the summer. This will protect the plant from fungi and viruses that multiply quickly in stagnant air conditions.
  8. Regularly moisten the moss using a sprayer with cooled boiled water.


With this method, roots appear within 3-4 weeks. When the root system is sufficiently developed, plant the orchid in a pot and continue to prevent it from rotting.

Method two (without a greenhouse)

If it is not possible to build a greenhouse, you can do without it. But then growing new roots can take several months or even a year. With this method of resuscitation you will need:

  • glass or jar;
  • boiled water at room temperature;
  • wire for fixing the orchid;
  • sharp knife.

You need to proceed as follows:

  1. Cut off the rotted underground part of the plant;
  2. Pour boiled and cooled water into a container;
  3. Place the orchid in a glass (jar) and use a wire to secure it so that only its tip touches the surface of the water.
  4. Monitor the temperature. It should be at about 25 o C.
  5. After 12 hours, drain the water and leave the orchid in the glass.
  6. After another 12 hours, again pour in enough water so that the tip of the orchid only lightly touches its surface.
  7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until roots emerge and are long enough for the plant to be potted.

Advice! An orchid left without water during the day will suffer from lack of moisture. This is due to the fact that during daylight hours the temperature is higher and the air is drier. The leaves will be forced to evaporate moisture, and the plant will not have the strength to form new roots. At night the air is humid, so the flower will be comfortable. Therefore, drain the water in the evening, when the sun has already set.

Watch a video on how to properly revive an orchid left without roots.

How to speed up the formation of new roots

An orchid deprived of its root system loses its source of nutrition. The plant can no longer obtain nutrients. Therefore, to form new roots, he will have to use his own reserves. As a result, the condition of the leaves deteriorates. To ensure that the above-ground part of the flower remains healthy during its restoration and the roots grow faster, flower growers advise:

  • Use root stimulants. This is the name for drugs that help plants accumulate organic matter in the place where roots should form. These include: Kornerost, Sodium Humate, Kornevin and Zircon. These products have high biological activity, so they should be used in small quantities (for example, only 1 gram of Kornevin is needed for 1 liter of water). The orchid needs to be placed in the solution from time to time for 20-30 minutes.
  • Feed the plant. To ensure that the orchid has enough strength to form a new root system, it is useful to add glucose to the water in which it takes root. It shouldn't be regular sugar. It is more complex in composition, so the flower cannot use it for nutritional purposes. But pests will definitely like sweet water. You can buy glucose or its solution at the pharmacy.
  • Spray the leaves. You can also help the plant through the leaves. To do this, they need to be sprayed with a weak glucose solution once every 1-2 weeks. Foliar feeding can be done using universal fertilizers.

Important! Do not confuse root stimulants with plant growth regulators. The latter are designed to either accelerate or slow down the growth of the stem. They have little effect on the formation of the root system.

What to do if an orchid dies from pests

If an orchid is damaged by wireworms, it will need to be replanted. Here's how to do it:

  1. Remove the plant from the pot and wash its roots in warm water.
  2. Remove the substrate along with the pests and carefully inspect the root system.
  3. Remove the larvae hidden in it and cut off damaged and rotten roots.
  4. Disinfect the cut areas (with cinnamon or ground activated carbon) and let them dry.
  5. Transplant the orchid into a new pot, filling it with bottom part flower with a new substrate.

To prevent the orchid from being damaged again by the click beetle, try to remove this pest from your apartment. For prevention, you can water the flower from time to time with a weak (light pink) solution of potassium permanganate. This will not harm the plant, but the larvae will die.

How to care for an orchid so that the roots no longer rot


You were able to revive the orchid and are afraid that it will get sick again. To prevent this from happening, create a flower optimal conditions contents:

  • Humidity. Optimal level– 70-80%. But such air humidity is difficult to provide at home, especially in winter. Therefore, when growing orchids, buying a humidifier will not be superfluous. Try to keep the air humidity below 50-60%. Otherwise, the leaves will dry out, and you will try to revive them with abundant watering. This may cause the roots to begin to rot.
  • Temperature. Optimally – 25 o C. The same temperature can be maintained if a split system is installed at home. In its absence, it is advisable to ensure that the temperature does not fall at least below 20 and does not rise above 30 degrees. You can regulate the temperature at home by ventilating the room in hot weather and heating it in cold weather.
  • Lighting. Orchid is very demanding of light. It should be bright, but diffuse. In its natural environment, the plant is illuminated by the sun for 12 hours a day. And if in the spring and summer the flower feels comfortable, then in the fall and winter it needs lighting. It is advisable to purchase a phytolamp. It emits the spectrum of light waves that plants need to maintain photosynthesis.
  • Watering. The orchid loves moisture, but does not tolerate stagnation. Therefore, you need to water it abundantly. But the next watering can be done only after the earthen ball is completely dry. Good drainage and a loose substrate will help avoid waterlogging.
  • Feeding. To grow and bloom, an orchid needs nutrients. IN wildlife she would obtain them by growing roots. But at home, its roots cannot reach further than the walls of the pot. For feeding, it is better to use fertilizers designed specifically for orchids.
  • Transfer. An orchid needs to change the pot and soil every 1-2 years. But replanting may be required earlier if the substrate begins to decompose.

Orchid is a beautiful guest arriving from the tropical jungle. Recreate for similar conditions Living in an apartment is almost impossible. Therefore, it is uncomfortable for the plant to be in it, and its roots often suffer. But it is very viable: even with the complete loss of the root system, the flower can be revived. It is enough just to create favorable conditions for the growth of new roots.

Orchid is a beautiful tropical plant. Few people can calmly walk past a store window when they see exotic flower. Tropical plants are bought by the handful for the house and presented as a gift, not knowing what conditions it needs. Non-compliance elementary rules care will harm the plant, causing it to become sick. Therefore, it is very important to know how to revive an orchid.

Main signs of ill health

Orchid - very tender plant needing constant attention and care. If for some reason the flower is sick, then signs of this can be seen on its leaves and roots. The main symptoms of unhealthy phalaenopsis:

Even the presence of one of these signs should make the grower think and change the care of the plant. This will help save the orchid.

Causes of root system rotting

To bring an orchid back to life, it is necessary to understand the reasons for the rotting of the root system, otherwise further measures are simply pointless. There are several main reasons and solutions to this problem:

Using the drug Kornevin to stimulate root growth

By identifying the cause that caused the roots to rot, you can easily solve the problem and cure the plant. The only exceptions can be fungal diseases, to eliminate them you need to act quickly. Otherwise, the root system may completely rot. And for resuscitation of orchids without roots and withered leaves It may take a lot of effort and quite a long time.

Preparing the orchid

Quite often you can hear from an inexperienced gardener that his orchid is dying, the roots are rotten, and the leaves are limp. The owner begins to panic and, often not knowing what to do about it, simply throws the flower away. But there is no need to rush, because you can revive the plant.

First, take sharp scissors or a knife and treat it with alcohol. Then all rotten roots are cut back to healthy tissue. All suspicious areas are also removed, otherwise they may become a site for the development of fungus, and the plant will no longer survive. The cut areas are sprinkled with charcoal or activated carbon powder; cinnamon also has a good disinfecting effect. After this, the phalaenopsis is left to lie in the room to dry for 24 hours.

When the roots are dry, they need to be dipped in a fungicide solution for 10-15 minutes, and then the place where the roots will grow can be treated with a growth stimulator. It is bought in a specialized store.

You can make this drug at home by dissolving 2 tablets Succinic acid in 500 ml of boiled water. Moisten a cotton swab with this solution and gently wipe the growing point and leaves of the orchid. The main thing is that the water does not remain in the axils of the leaf blades.

Resuscitating a flower at home

After carrying out these activities, you need to decide how to revive the orchid at home. There are several ways to save a plant:

It is not difficult to notice that an orchid is sick. Its flowers and buds fall off, the leaves become flabby and lethargic, the bush staggers. Most often this happens because the roots of the orchid rot. If you find out the cause of the disease in the root system in time, you can successfully cure your indoor beauty.

How to distinguish living roots from dead ones?

If the appearance of the orchid has become depressing and causes concern, carefully examine it. Please note the following:

  • condition of leaves. If the roots of the orchid begin to rot, the leaves will quickly turn yellow and become covered with brown spots and die off one by one;
  • flowering duration. A plant with a damaged root system is simply not able to feed the buds. Eventually they crumble;
  • bush stability. If the orchid falls on its side, or sways a lot when lifting the pot, it means it has nothing to hold on to the substrate. Its roots have weakened.

If at least one of the listed signs is detected, it is necessary to free the flower from the soil, determining the condition of the roots. Live roots are distinguished from dead ones as follows:

  • by color- healthy ones have a color from whitish to green, rotten ones are black or brown in color;
  • to the touch- living ones have an elastic, dense texture, dead ones have a hollow texture, when pressed they crumple, moisture flows out of them, the outer layer is removed down to the inner vein (similar to a thread).

Causes of root rotting

The roots of an orchid rot if they are not maintained correctly or if they are affected by diseases. In most cases, the plant can be saved if the cause of the disease is correctly determined.

Watering too much. When the substrate is constantly wet, the roots cannot drink. Paradoxical as it may seem, this is exactly so. The soil should dry out between waterings. That is, the sun's rays should penetrate it, drying it. Light is the main condition under which roots can drink water. If there is little of it, then when the soil is wet, water does not flow to the leaves.

Dense soil. Fresh substrate is distinguished by the presence of individual elements that do not fit tightly into the pot. An air gap remains between the soil particles. Oxygen enters the roots, allowing them to breathe. Over time, the bark of trees, which is part of the soil, is destroyed. It becomes smaller and denser. Air gap disappears. As a result, the roots of the orchid rot due to suffocation.

The roots of the orchid are rotting, what should I do? Photo

Excessive fertilization. The delicate structure of the roots is very sensitive to the concentration of fertilizers and the frequency of their application. A large dose can cause chemical burns and death of living tissue.

Tip: use only fertilizers specially designed for orchids, feeding them moderately no more than twice a month.

Man-made damage. If, when transplanting a flower, several roots break off and you do not treat them, expect trouble. Living tissue is a pass for bacteria and infections. It is not able to supply water to the leaves, but, being in a humid environment, it rots.

Lack of light- This is one of the main causes of all plant diseases. Having a special two-layer root structure, the orchid absorbs water under conditions good lighting. Light should fall not only on the leaves and buds, the roots also need it. Without light, they are saturated with moisture, but do not supply it to the top. If there is no light for a long time, the water stagnates and destroys the root system.

Pests. Over-moistened substrate - perfect place for the reproduction of podurs. This small insects who are constantly on the move. They are no larger than the tip of a needle and are white in color. They feed on decaying plant tissue. The appearance of durs is a sure sign of rotting.

Fungal diseases. If the roots of an orchid rot and characteristic spots appear on the leaves yellow color with a rotten center, then the cause of the disease may be soil fungi. They develop only in unsuitable flower conditions: when there is a lot of moisture and not enough light. The roots become saturated with water and cannot push it up without good lighting.

How to treat rotting orchid roots

If the roots of an orchid rot, what should you do? This is the main question of interest to every gardener whose house is decorated. exotic beauties. Is it possible to help a flower? To resuscitate the plants you will need:

  • a sharp knife or scissors that have been disinfected with alcohol or fire;
  • charcoal or activated carbon powder;
  • solution of furatsilin or manganese;
  • new substrate and transparent pot.

what to do if the orchid roots rot? How to save?

To help a sick plant, several operations are performed:

  • remove the plant from the pot and shake off the soil;
  • examine the roots, determining the degree of their damage;
  • cut off dead roots with sharp scissors or a knife;
  • the sections are sprinkled with coal;
  • if there are a lot of cut roots, the plant is placed for several minutes in a weak solution of furatsilin or manganese for disinfection; then dry for an hour;
  • during pruning, rotten areas should not be left, especially if they are located at the base of the flower;
  • the plant is placed in new soil without watering;
  • Place in a bright place, protected from direct sunlight.

Advice: an orchid that has survived root pruning does not need to be watered immediately, so as not to provoke the process of rotting. The cuts should tighten. The first watering is done a week after transplantation. If the plant is transplanted into summer time, then water after 2 days.

For an orchid to grow, a few healthy roots 5 cm long are enough. They can saturate it with moisture. Removing dead parts of the plant in time will allow living cells to develop and reproduce. The roots will grow over time.

The roots of an orchid are rotting, how to save it - video