How to grow Phalaenopsis with a weak root system so the roots become thick and strong

If your Phalaenopsis orchid (moth orchid) has poor roots at home, don't worry. Just follow these steps and you can help it slowly recover.

1.Trim the roots and disinfect

Using scissors wiped with alcohol, cut off all the hollow, blackened rotten roots, keeping only the plump, white, firm healthy roots. After trimming, soak the roots in carbendazim water for half an hour to disinfect, then take them out and let them dry in a cool, ventilated place for 5 to 6 hours, and wait until the wounds are completely dry before repotting, otherwise infection is easy.

2.Potting mix

Humid areas: use 6 parts bark chips + 4 parts caterpillar-shaped sphagnum moss. Bark is airy, sphagnum moss holds water; used together, the roots won't get suffocated.

Dry areas: use caterpillar-shaped sphagnum moss directly, or mix in 1 part volcanic rock granules, which also lets the roots "breathe".

tip: don't use ordinary garden soil; it compacts after a few waterings and the orchid's roots rot easily

3.Flower pot

Choose first a Qingshan pot, a root-control pot with vertical holes, or a transparent plastic pot is also fine, so you can see the state of the roots at any time. Don't make the pot too big; just one size larger than the original root ball is enough. Deep pots and glazed porcelain pots look nice, but they are especially poorly ventilated, so no matter how nice they look, don't use them.

4.Daily care

Watering: when the sphagnum moss turns white and feels dry, water thoroughly with room-temperature clean water until water runs out the bottom of the pot. In summer, water once a week; in winter, once every half month.

Environment: keep the temperature at 18 - 28°C, which is most comfortable; open the windows for ventilation for more than 2 hours a day, or use a small fan to blow air. Don't expose it to strong sun; put it on an east or west windowsill, or on a south windowsill with a gauze curtain to block the sunlight.

Fertilizing: don't feed fertilizer when the roots haven't grown well, as it easily "burns the roots"! Once new roots appear, dilute orchid nutrient solution with water at 3000 times the volume, and water once every half month; light is fine.

Checking: every week, part the leaves and check the roots. If you find yellowing leaves, black spots, or the roots turning black and soft again, immediately take it out of the pot, trim the roots and disinfect again; don't delay.

In short, as long as you care for it according to these methods, wait patiently for a while, and the orchid's roots will slowly recover and it will bloom again.