| Aerial roots are roots that don't grow down into your media. They develop a special covering that is thicker than a root growing in moisture retentive media. Your phals would prefer to have all their roots as aerial roots, growing and attaching to a tree, in Borneo :>)
If you can catch the root as it reaches the edge of the pot, you can place it into the media. Many phals have leaves that are very thick and numerous and the roots grow along the leaves so cannot be forced into the media. When they have these big leaves that stay on the plant for a long time, you end up with a ton of roots growing in the air.
If growing inside a home where humidity is an issue, trying to coax the root into the media is the best thing for it. If it is stubborn and stays on a leaf surface, try to keep the root hydrated as best you can without letting moisture sit in the leaf axils for long periods of time. Those aerial roots growing on the leaves will derive some moisture from the leaf surface.
The more roots, the happier your plant will be.
Brooke  |