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Reviving a Phalaenopsis with Droopy Leaves and Root Rot

Diagnosis

Droopy leaves with prominent veins suggest root rot from degraded potting mix (common in store-bought plants). Surface roots may look fine, but deeper roots are mushy.

Solution

Unpot, discard old mix, trim all mushy/stringy roots. Repot in fresh orchid bark mix (sift fines, soak before use). Use pot with drainage holes. New roots and leaves should appear in 1–2 months.

Professional Help

Orchid specialists offer repotting services for a fee.

Orchids: Snail/Slug Damage on Orchid Leaves: Cleanup and Repotting; Phalaenopsis Root Rot from Degraded Mix: Repotting Rescue; Yellow and Black Spots on Oncidium: Fungal Prevention; Orchid Leaf Issues and Non-Blooming: Light Deficiency and Mix Problems; Reviving Store-Bought Phalaenopsis with Root Problems; First Orchid Care: Watering, Feeding, and Fixing Split Leaves; Phalaenopsis Rebloomed Then Leaves Wrinkled: Fruit, Light, or Root Rot?; Phalaenopsis Leaves Soggy and Veiny: Root Rot from Old Mix; Wrinkled Phalaenopsis Leaves and Wilting Blooms: The Root Rot Connection; Wilted Leaves Despite Moist Soil: Heavy Mix or Root Mealybugs?

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