From my perspective as an orchid, I am a resilient but sensitive epiphyte, built for life clinging to trees where my roots are exposed to air and dry out rapidly between tropical downpours. Being confined to a pot with constantly soggy medium is a death sentence, suffocating my very core. If you suspect I am overwatered and suffering from root rot, here is what you must understand and do from my point of view.
I cannot speak, but I communicate my suffering clearly. My leaves, once turgid and green, will become soft, limp, and wrinkled, often with a yellowish tinge. They may feel leathery. This is because my rotten roots can no longer absorb water, so I am paradoxically dying of thirst while drowning. The potting medium will have a persistently wet, soggy feel and may emit a sour or musty odor—the smell of decay and anaerobic bacteria that are attacking me. You might also notice I have stopped growing entirely, with no new leaves, roots, or flower spikes.
You must remove me from my pot immediately. Gently tip me out and carefully remove all of the old, wet potting medium from around my roots. This is a critical examination. Healthy roots are firm and silvery-green (when dry) or green (when wet). Rotten roots are brown or black, mushy, slimy, and will often fall apart or leave a stringy core when gently tugged. They may smell bad. This tissue is dead and cannot be saved; it is a source of infection that will spread.
Using sterilized scissors or pruning shears (wipe them with rubbing alcohol), you must cut away all the rotten roots. Be ruthless but careful. Cut back to healthy, firm tissue. Even a small section of rot left behind can continue to spread. After the removal, it is crucial to treat my remaining healthy root system. Dust the cuts with a fungicide like cinnamon (a natural antifungal) or a commercial orchid fungicide powder. This creates a protective seal over the wounds and prevents new fungal spores from entering.
Do not repot me immediately. I need time for the treated cuts to callous over. Let me sit in a warm, shaded area with good air circulation for 24-48 hours. Then, repot me into a clean, new pot (or the old one sterilized) with plenty of drainage holes. The new potting medium must be fresh, chunky, and fast-draining—specifically formulated for orchids, like a bark mix. This allows air to reach my remaining roots. Do not use standard potting soil, as it will compact and strangle me again.
After repotting, do not water me for several days to a week. This allows my roots to settle and encourages them to seek out moisture, promoting new growth. When you resume watering, do so sparingly. Soak me thoroughly, then allow all the excess water to drain completely and let the potting medium become almost dry before watering again. Place me in a bright, indirect light location and maintain high humidity around my leaves if possible. I have suffered a major trauma and lost a significant part of my root system. Recovery will be slow. Your patience is vital as I focus my energy on regenerating new roots to sustain myself.
