Their beauty is, a priori, the main reason why everyone likes these plants. But that’s not the only reason. In addition to this, however, orchids are plants that can be affected by many diseases. Therefore, knowing what  orchid diseases are  is crucial for their correct development.

Like the vast majority of plants,  orchid diseases have very specific manifestations in the plant . Despite everything, they are delicate plants that can take time to recover from any ailment or illness. So let  ‘s see what is the most common orchid disease  that we should be aware of. And most importantly, how to care for it to continue having a  strong and healthy plant.

Orchid, attacked by root rot: if you do it, it will come back strong and healthy

One of the most important aspects when it comes to  orchid diseases  is that they can be caused by the way we grow them.  Caring for orchids  involves a humid environment necessary for the prosperity of these wonderful plants. However, it is precisely the humidity that  causes a good number of diseases that afflict them. The key is balance, that is, being able to give our plant what it needs but, always, with caution to avoid collateral damage.

Despite being tropical plants, orchids  do not need high temperatures . Additionally, exposing them to moisture creates ideal conditions for disease development. Poor root aeration or even  poor watering can also cause plant diseases.  In this article we will see  what to do if our orchid shows signs of root rot.

Rotten roots, one of the most common orchid diseases, here’s what you should do!

Let’s start with what is, perhaps, the  main cause of death of these plants .  Root rot  is one of the most common orchid diseases, and in most cases it is  caused by poor watering.  And we are not only referring to the amount of water, but also to the tool used to water them or even to have a plate under the pot with water.

Rotten roots  are roots affected by fungus. They manifest themselves in a way that is visually easy to identify. Their main characteristic is that  they acquire a brown tone and lose texture . In this case it is important to act as soon as possible. This disease is very serious and  it is not always possible to save the plant.  Fungi produce spores that travel from plant to plant, so  it is essential to isolate the diseased plant if you have others in your home.  It usually occurs because the  plant receives too much water  or because the substrate  does not have good drainage. To prevent its spread, we must:

• Remove rotten roots  with previously disinfected and completely sterile scissors
• If the advance of the fungus is significant,  apply a fungicide to the roots
• Transplant in a new substrate  and pot and with adequate aeration
• Stop watering momentarily  until the roots lose moisture.