What to do if the black orchid has root rot

Causes of root rot

Overwatering

The main reason for root rot is excessive watering, the orchid plant fails to absorb water in time, and the potting soil remains moist for a long time or even accumulates water. If the soil is not breathable for a long time, the roots will not get enough nutrients and will rot.

Poor soil permeability

Poor soil permeability is linked to watering. If the soil is too sticky, it will easily become compacted, and water will stay on the soil surface for a long time, making it difficult for the roots to absorb water.

Fungal infections

Mo orchid root rot is a plant disease generally caused by fungi, nematodes, and bacteria. Root rot is a soil-borne disease, which is mainly transmitted through moisture in the soil, underground insects and nematodes.

What to do if the roots rot

Cut off the rotten part

When you find that the roots of the black orchid are rotten, take the black orchid out of the pot. Depending on the degree of root rot, cut off the moldy, blackened, and hollow rhizomes and keep the unrotten parts. At the same time, cut off the diseased leaves with spots and yellowing. As long as the bulb is not completely rotten, it can survive.

Soil replacement

Use old red bricks to be knocked into the size of hickory nuts, and add bark in a ratio of 1:1. If you only use soil, also add broken red bricks, put the large broken pieces at the bottom, and the small ones and soil at the top. However, in order to prevent the plant from being infected by bacteria, you should change to a clean plain clay pot when replanting it, or you can choose to plant it in unpolluted plain sand.

Spraying

There must be some kind of pathogen causing root rot in the plant, so spray the fungicide in time and use carbendazim to irrigate the roots 2 to 3 times.

Control water and fertilizer

In the subsequent maintenance, it is necessary to control water and fertilizer. Water when the soil is dry or wet. Stop watering when water starts to flow out from the bottom of the pot. Water again when the surface of the pot becomes dry or even white. Do not fertilize the re-potted orchid until it resumes growing.