The theme of aerial roots of orchids is one of the most important and relevant for both amateurs and experienced gardeners. Questions on this topic are constantly heard, and the choice of the right solution depends on the erudition and experience of the grower. The material will tell you about the importance of aerial roots for orchids and give recommendations for resolving possible problems.

Features of the root system

Aerial roots of orchids are roots that grow outside the potted environment. They can grow from stem nodes on top of the stem or appear from a potted substrate. Some orchids give a lot of aerial roots, while others have a small amount or not at all.

Orchids are natural epiphytic plants. This means that they grow on other plants, not in the soil. The roots are responsible for fixing the plant at the place of growth, as well as for absorbing the necessary water and nutrients

Aerial roots are not so rare. But if you are new to growing Phalaenopsis orchids, then this term may not be familiar to you. The appearance of roots above the surface of the pot does not mean that the orchid has become crowded in the pot and it needs to be transplanted - it’s just that the air ducts began to grow in the plant.

Structure

The structure of the aerial roots of phalaenopsis is very different from the structure of the usual roots of terrestrial plants. The spongy tissue velamen with a thick layer of epidermal cells covers the inner filiform part of the root. Velamen helps orchids cling to tree branches, absorb water and nitrogen from the air, protects against damage and retains moisture, thereby providing water to the entire plant and protecting it from drying out.

Aerial roots are natural for epiphytic species that grow on other plants in rainforests. Unlike terrestrial orchids, which take root in the ground, epiphytic species in the natural environment grow above the ground, using their roots to attach to tree branches and reach a more illuminated place among the foliage

Unlike other plants that attach to trees, phalaenopsis orchids do not parasitize and are not invasive species. Epiphytes with a unique root system use their roots to absorb nutrients, moisture and carbon dioxide for growth and survival directly from the air, not eating tree sap.

Appearance

Although aerial roots do not improve the aesthetic appearance of the flower, nothing needs to be done with them - this is a natural development of the plant. They are cylindrical or flat in shape and must be hard to touch.

Airy roots become bright green immediately after watering, which is a sign of healthy roots. As they dry, they first become silvery, and then gray or whitish, which means that the orchid may need watering. It is enough to soak the roots for 2 minutes or spray with water, and they will turn green again.

The reason for the appearance of aerial roots

The growth of the plant and its root system is a natural cycle of development and renewal, therefore the appearance of new roots often indicates a healthy and proper development of orchids. The appearance of 2-3 aerial roots is the norm and should not cause concern.

But sometimes the reason for the intensive growth of aerial roots over a potted substrate can be excessive moisture or increased dryness and too warm air (for example, when standing next to a heating battery) - growing out of a pot, the flower tries to find a more comfortable place.

What are the differences from ordinary

Aerial roots are in many ways similar to normal roots growing in a substrate - this is just a different arrangement of roots. They are a little thicker and are the healthiest on the plant, because they grow in conditions close to the natural habitat of the flower.

Home orchids are usually grown in a soilless mixture based on pine bark or sphagnum moss to simulate the natural growth conditions on trees. Over time, this potted mixture breaks down and needs to be replaced, and internal roots are at high risk for root rot and fungal infections.

The orchid is looking for new sources of nutrients, light and moisture, so its roots are twisted and rotated in all directions, but most of them remain in the drainage pot. If there are no above-ground roots on the orchid, then, most likely, they rooted in the substrate when they appear

Why orchid aerial roots

The health of an orchid depends on the state of its root system. Aerial roots actively participate in photosynthesis and serve to replenish moisture reserves and its further use.

Functions of the air roots:

• mount and support - epiphytes completely abandoned underground roots and use aerial roots to gain a foothold on tree branches;
• environmental water absorption and storing it for use in drier conditions;
• getting nutrients from water, air and symbiosis with mushrooms (mycorrhiza);
• photosynthesis - Like leaves, they convert light energy into carbohydrates, necessary for plant growth.

Did you know? Orchids, known as lithophytes, use a similar strategy for fixing epiphytic species, but are mounted on rocks, and not on trees.

The orchid has many aerial roots

Sometimes a large number of aerial roots indicates the need to transplant a flower into a pot of larger capacity.

Orchids usually like to be connected by roots to the substrate, like a tree in a natural environment, so most of the root system remains in the pot. However, with the growth of the plant, the potted medium is so clogged with roots that it becomes crowded and they grow out. In such cases, plant transplantation should be considered.

Is it possible to crop and when to do it

Aerial roots of a flower should not be cutbecause they are a living part of the system that the plant uses to absorb nutrients and water. Trimming aerial roots can cause a plant to start to hurt or even die due to illness or an inability to absorb enough elements for growth.

Important! Any unhealthy roots should be removed to a healthy tissue with sterile instruments (rubbed with alcohol or calcined over a fire), and the sections should be dried and treated with activated charcoal or cinnamon powder.

There are several ways to control aerial roots:

• double pot - the main container with the substrate is placed in a decorative pot, which hides part of the air outlets;
• orchid transplant in a large container with a deepening of the roots that crawled out of the potted mixture beyond. In this case, it is not necessary to deepen the aerial roots growing on the stem.

Only diseased, dry, dead and damaged parts of roots are subject to removal. Trimming is carried out to a healthy and clean tissue.

Problems and their possible solutions

The aerial roots of epiphytes do not need special care - they will also be healthy if you take good care of the flower itself. However, they may experience the same problems as the stems and the roots inside the pot.

Why do orchids dry roots

If the roots are gray, dry and wrinkled, or there are no growing tips on them, then the orchid does not receive enough moisture. This can be due to the coarse fraction of the potting mixture, which does not allow the roots to better contact with the substrate when watering.

The low humidity in the room, which often happens during the heating season, is also the cause of dry roots - you can put a container of water near the plant and carry out regular spraying. Try to keep humidity above 40%so that the aerial roots do not dry out too quickly.

The roots may dry even when exposed to direct sunlight, especially at noon - try to shade the orchid with a transparent curtain or move it farther away from the window

Why does the root system rot

When the roots begin to rot, they become brown and soft and cannot properly absorb water and nutrients. The only thing that needs to be done to help the plant is to trim the rotten roots to healthy tissue.

Important! Sometimes the roots turn brown due to hard water and the deposition of salts on their surface. But unlike rot, salt stains are hard and rust-like.

The causes of decay can be excessive irrigation and stagnation of water in the substrate, as well as high concentrations of fertilizers and improper temperature conditions.

Only aerial roots left

If for some reason the flower has only aerial roots, then the planting option will help the plant recover:

• cut off all the problematic roots at the base and sprinkle the slices with cinnamon or activated carbon. Dry the orchid in the air for 3-5 hours, so that the wounds from cuts are healed and dried up;
• prepare a pot according to the volume of the root system with holes for draining water and ventilation;
• use a small fraction of the cortex as a substrate, and lay a sphagnum layer (1 cm) on top, having previously doused it with boiling water;
• make the flower a reliable support so that it does not stagger and does not tip over in the pot, injuring the roots. Place the root neck near the surface of the substrate - all parts of the orchid should be in the air and not touch the water;
• leave aerial roots on the surface;
• water not by immersion, but by abundant spraying of sphagnum to stimulate the growth of roots down to a damp surface.

Important! Orchid is very tenacious and can survive due to aerial roots.

Mold

Mold on the plant may appear due to decomposition of the potting mixture, excessive humidity and high temperature, which leads to fogging of the pot and the appearance of condensation. In such cases, it is necessary to change the conditions of orchid and dry the substrate.

Fungal microorganisms sometimes cause mold, and here a flower transplant will be needed with the mixture replaced and treated with fungicides

Air roots blacken

Blackening of the roots can occur for the following reasons:

• the plant was exposed to direct sunlight for a long time and received burns. Such blackening is also possible on the leaves;
• prolonged decrease in temperature (+ 4 ... + 6 ° C) with high humidity;
• watering or spraying with cold water;
• increased concentrations of fertilizers (only a quarter of the specified rate of flower fertilizers is required);
• deposition of salts in the substrate when irrigating with hard water;
• pathogenic diseases.

Plant care

Caring for orchids is simple and does not require much effort - just grasp the main points:

1. For most epiphytes wet and well-drained mixes needed. There are several types of nutrient media that can be used for plants, such as fir or pine bark, sphagnum peat, stones, cork, charcoal, sand. The bark fraction depends on the type of orchid being grown - a coarse fraction is suitable for phalaenopsis, and the plant should not be buried.
2. The best location would be east or south windows - considered plants prefer diffused indirect glare. Lack of lighting leads to poor flowering, and direct rays at noon can burn the leaves.
3. Temperature and humidity are also important. for indoor orchids. A temperature of + 18 ° ... + 25 ° C and a humidity of 60% throughout the entire growing season is considered comfortable, but in order for the plant to bloom, the night temperature should be 8–15 ° C lower than the day one.
4. Immersed flower 1 time in 10-14 days. This is the only case when the roots of the epiphyte remain in the water, but not more than 3-5 hours. It is advisable to use soft or boiled water, with a temperature of about + 30 ... + 35 ° C. Between watering, the flower should dry well.
5. During vegetation and growth, plants use a mild fertilizer solution for indoor flowers each time they are watered. During flowering, top dressing is not carried out.
6. Transplanted flower every 2 years with complete replacement of the substrate.
7. Necessary closely observe the plantsto notice signs of disease or pest damage in a timely manner and take action.
8. At home Phalaenopsis orchid is propagated by childrenthat grow on peduncles or stems. Propagation by seeds or tissue cultures is best left to commercial producers, as this requires special laboratory equipment.

Orchid transplant

Transplantation is necessary to ensure good health and optimal plant growth. If the orchid stays in the same pot for a long time, then the flower will begin to weaken and wither. Over time, the substrate decomposes and compacts, its air permeability is broken, and the plant lacks air, which will increase the risk of the disease and lead to stress.

The frequency of transplants depends on the type of orchid and the type of potted mixture. Orchid should be transplanted regularly, and phalaenopsis only benefit from frequent transplants. In this case, be sure to use a new potted mixture. The composition of coconut crushed shells will last longer than a mixture of fir or pine bark.

Did you know? Vanilla is the most famous and widely used spice obtained from a single commercially grown orchid.

Some experienced flower growers believe that using a mixture of perlite and peat for a potted mixture gives less air roots than pine bark. In any case, when transplanting, do not deepen the aerial roots, because they can rot. The new pot for the plant should be transparent and with drainage holes to drain the water so that the orchid roots are not in the water.

An orchid transplant is necessary in the following cases:

• a newly acquired flower is transplanted to assess the quality of the roots and general condition, but if it blooms, you should wait until the flowering ends;
• the growth and development of the plant leads to the fact that the pot becomes cramped, and the flower needs a large capacity;
• too large a pot also causes a flower transplant, since the orchid will grow roots to the detriment of the development of the leaf part and flowering;
• there are signs of disease or pest damage.

Video: How to transplant an orchid

With proper care, keeping a tropical orchid is easy. She has a high vitality, and, surrounded by her care, you can grow a strong and healthy plant that will bring joy to the abundant flowering for many years, and possibly forms children.