Plant guide:ðŸŒļ Orchid
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Roots

Root Rot in Orchids

Commonly affects: Phalaenopsis spp. and other Orchidaceae (Orchid)

Roots turn brown, mushy, and hollow rather than firm and plump, often with a foul smell, and the plant may wobble loosely in its pot.

Potential Causes

  1. 1Overwatering — by far the most common cause of orchid decline
  2. 2Potting medium that retains too much moisture (regular potting soil instead of orchid bark)
  3. 3Pots without adequate drainage holes

Solution Steps

  1. 1Remove the plant from its pot and trim away all brown, mushy roots with sterilised scissors
  2. 2Repot into fresh orchid bark mix, which drains and dries far faster than regular potting soil
  3. 3Water only when roots turn silvery-grey (a sign of dryness), not on a fixed schedule
  4. 4Choose a clear or slotted pot to visually monitor root health and moisture going forward

Prevention Tip

Water orchids based on root colour, not a calendar — silvery-grey roots mean it's time to water, while green roots mean wait.

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Compacted, Anaerobic Substrate — monstera plant care

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