Question
Hi,

I have had an orchid from the phalaenopsis genus for one year now.  I am a college student and have been away from home, where my orchid was, since Christmas time.  I just came home for spring break and the two small leaves that were just emerging from the center of the plant in January have grown about an inch larger.  The orchid is in a clear pot that rests inside another solid-colored pot.  When I picked up the inside pot up to examine the roots, all the ones on the edges of the container that I could see were dirty brown and shriveled up/dry.  When I have been home before they were always thick and green/white, like they should be.  Some of the roots sticking up above the medium still have green areas on them, but all the roots in the medium looked dead.  Is there still any hope for my orchid or will it slowly die now?  I assume people at home neglected to water it for me. : (  I have about 30 different species of house plants, all of which I have kept happy for at least 5 years, and I work in the university greenhouse. I know plants will often come back from the roots.  This is my first orchid though, and I am not familiar with how well they can regenerate themselves/come back.  The leaves are all deep green and shiny/healthy looking.  Have the dead roots just not "caught up" with the leaves yet, meaning the entire plant will die soon, or can the plant "come back" and grow new roots if the leaves are healthy???  Any suggestions on how to proceed would be immensely appreciated!

Thanks for your time!
-Rachel

Answer
Rachel, as long as the plant is in good overall health, it should grow new roots as soon as you can improve the root environment by repotting it in fresh orchid potting mix.  Once you have the required orchid potting mix, soak a portion of it while you unpot your plant.  The only roots you need to be concerned about are those that are mushy as the velamin (ie outer covering) that stores the nutrients has been destroyed by rot. These should be removed as they no longer serve any useful function.  Good roots are firm (even those that appear somewhat dried).  The reason the fresh potting mix should be soaked is that it contains fir bark, which often is quite dry if used as packaged in the potting mix. Dry fir bark is hydrophobic and, if used in that form, can actually draw moisture from the good roots. When repotting, you will need to place the pot in a place where the wet potting mix can drain well.  Then move the plant to your growing area and feed weakly weekly.  Use 1/4 tsp of plant food per gallon of water.