What to Do When Phalaenopsis Orchid Buds All Drop and Flower Stems Wither

During the Chinese New Year, every household displays a few pots of Phalaenopsis orchids. Their flowers look like dancing butterflies, instantly elevating the style of the home, and their colors are especially rich, festive and beautiful, so basically no one can resist them. However, when growing Phalaenopsis orchids, the root rot problem that always tends to occur leaves many flower enthusiasts very frustrated, because once root rot sets in, the flowers cannot grow well, and in severe cases the entire plant will wither and die.

Generally speaking, root rot in Phalaenopsis orchids is often caused by flower enthusiasts paying it too much attention, and the most common problem is watering too frequently. The reason may be that too many friends want to quickly see it bloom all over the pot, so they water the flowers more, thinking it will grow faster, but for the Phalaenopsis orchid this is actually suffering.

When you constantly water it every day, the Phalaenopsis orchid's medium stays in a soggy environment all the time. Over time, bacteria come calling, and if the situation is never improved, the roots gradually begin to rot, and things get worse and worse.

So how do you know whether a Phalaenopsis orchid has root rot? You can observe it from several places. First, the flowers: if recently you find several flower heads withering one after another, and the buds also begin to wilt and dry up, this is very likely a signal that something is wrong with the roots. Next, look at its roots: in the early stages of root rot, the root system becomes soft, then gradually begins to rot, and afterward the color turns black. Once you find anything off like this, do not delay, you must immediately find a way to deal with it, otherwise the situation will get worse and worse, and by then the Phalaenopsis orchid will be in danger.

If you find that a Phalaenopsis orchid has root rot, do not be afraid. First find a pair of sharp scissors and disinfect them with alcohol or potassium permanganate solution, then cut off all the rotted root parts. Do not feel heartache over it, any spot that is rotten must be cut away cleanly, otherwise the remaining rotted roots will affect other healthy roots.

Then when pruning, you must make sure the scissors are clean and sharp, and disinfect them again after each cut, so as not to cause secondary harm to the Phalaenopsis orchid. Finally, after treating the root rot, replace the medium with new material, do not use the old medium again, otherwise the root rot will recur. For the new medium, bark and sphagnum moss are recommended. Bark has good air permeability and lets the roots breathe freely, while sphagnum moss has strong water retention and can provide suitable humidity for the roots. Replant the Phalaenopsis orchid into the new medium, water it thoroughly, place it in a cool, ventilated spot for air circulation, and afterward you can just care for it normally.