Orchid roots telling me something...

15 years ago

I grow a variety of genera under lights and am finding that most of my plants grow remarkably long aerial roots. These go out of the pots, wander around the trays under the plants (sometimes under water), down the shelves, and onto the floor. I have some epi-catts with individual roots coiling up on the indoor/outdoor carpet, over 4' in length and still going. While this may be regarded as a sign of vigor, it is damn inconvenient. Lifting a plant to inspect it becomes a battle with neighboring pots and the plastic lath holding the pots above the trays.

I speculate that heavy growth of aerial roots may indicate that my potting medium is relatively dry and the humidity is on the high side. I keep the room at 65 to 80% humidity and water every 3 or 4 days (plastic pots, bark mix). I can't water indoors with a garden hose as I used to do in a greenhouse, but use a pump up sprayer, ensuring water runs out of each pot, then repeating in 10 minutes. So...., should I go to a more absorbant mix (sphagnum, peat), reduce humidity, or just grow ghost orchids?

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Comments (10)

arthurm
15 years ago
Never complain about roots, the more the better. If the plants are producing quality flowers, do not change anything.
stitzelweller
15 years ago
rocky,

If you have the extra time, perhaps you can s-t-r-e-t-c-h the repeat watering time beyond 10 minutes. I should be as fortunate as you to have that "problem"!

--Stitz--
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highjack
15 years ago
I agree with Arthur - I swear I have cattleya roots growing several inches a night. One day they are in the pot and the next day, they are through the table and almost on the gravel floor. There is nothing like picking up a pot and having roots rip off.

You are doing great, they are epiphytees.

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julysun
15 years ago
What are you feeding?
Thanks!
rockyfarm
Original Author
15 years ago
I'm feeding with MSU in rainwater, 1/4 tsp/gallon, every other watering. I plan to boost the concentration since many of the new growths are pale green or mottled with reddish pigments.
julysun
15 years ago
Leaf color is related more to light than food, right?
rockyfarm
Original Author
15 years ago
Since I'm growing under fluorescent lighting I think the pale coloration or reddish tints may not be due high light levels; rather, my current thinking is that it's due to a shortage of nitrogen.
orchid126
15 years ago
I would think that the pale color combined with the reddish tint of the leaves pertain more to light. While the pale coloration could be a sign of lack of nitrogen, additional nitrogen won't give the reddish tint. You might consider using Dyna-grow Protekt, which makes stronger leaqves. I use it once a month.
mehitabel
15 years ago
I agree about Dyna-Gro ProTeKt--it's a great product and it does toughen leaves.

Pale leaves can be a result of micro-nutrient deficiency or imbalance (chlorosis). If leaves seem pale, try epsom salts (magnesium sulfate). It's a quick green-up for many acid loving plants, such as jasmines and gardenias. Leaves of these get chlorotic over a long hard-water winter indoors here. A couple of doses of epsom salts makes an enormous difference, keeps the leaves green. Chelated iron also works.

For orchids? Yes, I've used both epsom salts and chelated iron many times on orchids, including catts, oncids, encyclis and phals. I use it when I get a new plant with flabby leaves whose color isn't quite "right". With orchids, the old leaves don't always change, but new leaves come in tougher and a better green.

You can mix epsom salts in the water, app 1 tablespoon to the gallon. Or since it's usually just one or two plants, I just add a pinch to the pot, and it gets watered in when I water.

If it doesn't work to produce a greenup, no harm is done.
rockyfarm
Original Author
15 years ago
I've used Protekt on and off, and my fertilizers do contain chelated iron and copper. I thought I was pleasing the orchids by using just rainwater and low fertilizer concentrations, but I probably was leaching critical nutrients out. I'm now using more concentrated 'complete' fertilizer in a mix of rain or RO water and well water, and checking that pH and tds levels are suitable. My well water supplies plenty of calcium and magnesium.

Maybe that's what the wayward roots have been seeking???

Orchid roots telling me something...

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arthurm

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Orchid roots telling me something...

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