Roots
Roots (and bulbs) are the heart of the orchid.
Healthy roots usually equal a healthy orchid. For a Phalaenopsis, the water is fed from its roots to the plant. Healthy orchid roots should be full of water and look grayish-green, not whitish gray. If they are brown and mushy, you may be overwatering your plant. For most orchids, if you're allowing the plant's potting medium to almost dry out between waterings then water thoroughly, the roots will be healthiest. Never allow your plant to stand in water for long periods of time.
For Exotics and many other orchids, the water is fed from the pseudobulbs of the plant. When they get too little water, they may look wrinkled. However, some varieties have pseudobulbs that look a little shriveled regardless of water received.
Healthy roots usually equal a healthy orchid. For a Phalaenopsis, the water is fed from its roots to the plant. Healthy orchid roots should be full of water and look grayish-green, not whitish gray. If they are brown and mushy, you may be overwatering your plant. For most orchids, if you're allowing the plant's potting medium to almost dry out between waterings then water thoroughly, the roots will be healthiest. Never allow your plant to stand in water for long periods of time.
For Exotics and many other orchids, the water is fed from the pseudobulbs of the plant. When they get too little water, they may look wrinkled. However, some varieties have pseudobulbs that look a little shriveled regardless of water received.
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What about roots growing outside of the pot?
The roots of the plant that you see are what help the plant absorb moisture and carbon dioxide from the air. Also known as “air roots” these are perfectly normal and don’t indicate that you need to repot your plant. You should also keep them on the plant as long as they remain nice and plump and are a sage-gray green color. If they turn yellow or shrivel up, you can wait until your plant stops blooming and then trim them off with a sterile scissors or razorblade. Please try to keep all of the healthy roots on your plant. Try not to stuff them into the ceramic pot (let them come out the top) so they can “breathe.” Orchids like to be root-bound and can stay in their existing pot for about 2 years after you’ve purchased it. Then, the potting medium does start to lose its nutrients and breaks down, so it’s time for repotting. |
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