My Orchid Bulbs Are Shriveled

Removing Damaged Roots

• Lift the orchid out of its container and inspect the shriveled roots. Brush the potting medium off the orchid's bulb and root system. Look for any brown-, black- or mushy-appearing roots, which indicate the orchid has contracted a fungal disease called root rot. Pull diseased roots off the shriveled bulb with your hands. Measure the bulb and container. Root rot and shriveled bulbs may indicate the pot is too large.

Repotting

• Choose a pot just slightly larger than the orchid's bulb and root mass. Mix up new potting medium because overwatering decays the soil. The potting medium that you mix depends on the type orchid growing. A fine mix works for some orchids, such as slipper orchids, most oncidiums and miltonias. This mix includes one part fine charcoal, one part perlite and four parts fine-grade fir bark, as suggested by Steven A. Frowine from the National Gardening Association. Mature orchids, cattleyas and phalaenopsis need a different potting medium. Mix one part medium- grade charcoal, four parts medium-grade fir bark and one part perlite.

Increasing Humidity

• Increase your orchid's humidity and place the plant in shade after repotting the plant. Spread a 1/2 an inch layer of pea gravel on a saucer increases the humidity. The saucer should be large enough to accommodate the size of the pot. Place the orchid on top of the saucer. Water accumulating in the saucer should never touch the pot's bottom. Monitor the saucer and remove excess water.

Watering

• Reducing your watering schedule treats shriveled bulbs and root rot. Water your orchids in the morning, so that daytime temperatures evaporate soil moisture. When watering your orchid, lift the plant over a sink. Pour bottled water or rainwater into the pot until you see water drain from the drainage holes. Wait to put it back on the saucer until all the water has drained from the pot. Gardeners normally water their orchids once a week.