thanks again for replying and for the info etc...
just wonder whether 1 reason NOT to feed them initially is due to the fact that
they get food through the roots so if there is no food nearBy, the roots grow
looking for food?

thanks
sincerely
Tanya


Ray wrote:

Black, dead roots occurs from lack of oxygen and rotting, not lack of
nutrition. The dark brown/black coloration, if I remember correctly - is
caused by phenols released by the plant in the presence of stress. It is
intended to fend off any fungus, bacteria or other attacking entity, such as
other plants' roots, but is toxic to the plant's own roots as well.

I wouldn't worry too much about feeding right after repotting. Give the
plant a week or two of moisture only and then resume normal feeding. It
won't hurt the plant to wait, and it does allow even the rotted root base to
heal a bit.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

. . . . . . . . . . .
"Tanya" wrote in message
...
thank you, Ray
just a clarification: aside from the 2 tonight, the other 3 were potted
with
essentially the same number of viable roots as when i took them out of
their
old pots.
the very few roots removed would not have been functioning (i don't
think as
they were dark / black) and very easy to remove from the internal wire.
i believe that the rootChallanged condition was caused by a serious lack
of
nutrients.
thereFore, in general, when is it deemed best to start feeding phals
following
repotting them?

the 2 i did tonight both ended up w/ 3 or 4 healthy roots. the black
ones -- i
could not even keep the internal wires nomenclature? b/c they broke.
in this case i assume that i wait until new root growth (there are no
wounds)
thanks very much for replying and thank you in advance!
sincerely
Tanya

and P.S.: i had spiced them up w/ cinnamon (last year) -- perhaps as noted
above in another post this contributed to the sparse roots?


Ray wrote:

As the plants have few roots, I'd wait until the wounds heal and they
start
to grow new ones.

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com

Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

. . . . . . . . . . .
"Tanya" wrote in message
...
hello,
how long should one wait before feeding phals after they've been
repotted?
(they have a few roots and are in sphagnum moss)
thank you
p.s. or should i give the fertilizer (hydroponic) as a foliar spray?