Roots -- Which to prune

[journorchid]

This question is about roots in general, but specifically phal. roots. My onc's roots look very, very different (not sure if this is normal).

I'm wondering what to do when you encouter roots that have significant dead portions but are connected -- maybe only by a thread -- to an end that looks like it is growing healthily.

On the one hand, I'd think the happy root end couldn't hurt the plant, so might as well leave it despite the dead middle... On the other hand, pruning back encourages root growth, from what I understand, so maybe these things have got to go.

Finally: Would your answer be different if you were dealing with a not-well plant most of whose roots were already dead?

And what about those threads. Do they go or do they stay?

Thanks, once again. I love the willingness of this community to take on the simple questions of a newbie like me.

With gratitude,

Dan

[mayres]

I have had to deal with this plenty in purchasing phals that have been mishandled - lots of rotting and portions of rotting roots. If it were mine I would remove ALL sections of root that are black/rotten/mushy - even if there appears to be healthy root further out on the length of the unit. The plant is not going to bring in nutrients through the rotten or theadlike portions anyway - it will be just a matter of time until the entire portion is gone. Even if the plant has nearly no roots - same response. Cut off the "threads" (remnants of once healthy roots) as well. When you repot be VERY careful to not over water - maybe err on the dry side before watering for awhile - and possibly think of using a root stimulant like Superthrive. It is amazing how they will throw out new roots and before you know it - all will be well. Enjoy! Mike

[journorchid]

Thanks, Mike!.

I guess there remain only two questions, then:

1. Are the onc. intergeneric supposed to have completely different-looking root systems?
2. Is there a local place I can pick up Superthrive? They didn't have it at the best-reputed nursury on Long Island... May have to order it online...

Hope I'm not anoying everyone with the constant queries, but I guess that's waht this place is for....

All best,

Dan

[Aniko]

If you don't mind I answer your questions:
1.Yes, it is a fact that different types of orchids have different looking roots.
2.Superthrive theoretically has to be available in big box stores: Home Depot, Lowe's, Stop&Shop, etc. I found it after a long search in a little nursery in my neighborhood...On line ordering is also a possibility.
Good luck!
Aniko.

[mayres]

Dan -
Like Aniko said, look around at some different garden sections of different types of stores in your area - you are sure to find superthrive somewhere - we even have it at Walmart and other multidepartmental stores in our area like Aniko noted. There are probably other root stimulant products out there that would be good too, but this one is most often noted by other orchidists. Good luck! mike

[ssherlock]

I've only just joined this forum and am looking for information on pruning Phal roots. I have a few plants that look very root bound in their pots, though they are healthy and flower almost continuously.

This thread says about pruning the dead and damaged roots but what about healthy roots that are gradually pushing the plant out of the pot?

I know it's technically the wrong time of year to re-pot but there's a few plants just throwing up a new flower spike and I'd like to know whether they should be done before the flowers come out or whether it even matters?

If it makes any difference I am in the UK where wea re at the tail end of summer.

Thanks,
Simon

[fred]

If you have roots pushing the orchid up out of the pot you can just lift the plant out and place it into the next size pot up and fill in the gap with potting media just be careful not to distube the roots to much.

Also welcome to the forum
I also have a link to the American Orchid Society Culture Sheets you can download then to your PC
http://www.aos.org/aos/orchids/page01.aspx

[ssherlock]

Originally Posted by fred

If you have roots pushing the orchid up out of the pot you can just lift the plant out and place it into the next size pot up and fill in the gap with potting media just be careful not to distube the roots to much.

Thanks Fred, I always thought Phals were kept in one size of pot so I presumed that the roots were pruned.

Thanks for the links - I shall be reading them later today.

Cheers, Simon

[brookn]

Hi, I just wanted to remind everyone about phals. They do not mind repotting at any time in their growth cycle. They usually do not sulk because of it, and I have even repotted while they are in bloom to no ill effects. I just do the repot cartefully and gently. I only trim rotten or dead roots, never healthy ones.
Oncidium do have very different roots, and when I first saw them, I was convinced they were diseased, because I had only had phals before them. Hee-hee.

[ssherlock]

Originally Posted by brookn

Hi, I just wanted to remind everyone about phals. They do not mind repotting at any time in their growth cycle. They usually do not sulk because of it, and I have even repotted while they are in bloom to no ill effects. I just do the repot cartefully and gently. I only trim rotten or dead roots, never healthy ones.
Oncidium do have very different roots, and when I first saw them, I was convinced they were diseased, because I had only had phals before them. Hee-hee.

Although you don't generally prune healthy roots would the plant mind, as long as you don't go mad?

I don't want them in much bigger pots than the ones they're in, but I don't want to risk damaging the plant either.

[brookn]

They will probably not take well to trimming. I believe that the older bulbs will not grow more roots if they lose the ones they have, and rely on the new bulbs roots for nutrients. I would rather see you pot up than do that. If this were a catt. I would say cut away, but Onc. I just don't advise it. Just move up to a size that the roots just fit into so that you do not overpot. Another thing, have you actually taken the plant out of the pot and cleaned and inspeccted it? You may be able to go back into the old pot after the cleaning and such, you would be surprised at how this happens. My oncidium when it was new(to me) actually went down a pot size after I depotted, soaked the roots, and cleaned the old medium from them.

[ssherlock]

Originally Posted by brookn

They will probably not take well to trimming. I believe that the older bulbs will not grow more roots if they lose the ones they have, and rely on the new bulbs roots for nutrients. I would rather see you pot up than do that. If this were a catt. I would say cut away, but Onc. I just don't advise it. Just move up to a size that the roots just fit into so that you do not overpot. Another thing, have you actually taken the plant out of the pot and cleaned and inspeccted it? You may be able to go back into the old pot after the cleaning and such, you would be surprised at how this happens. My oncidium when it was new(to me) actually went down a pot size after I depotted, soaked the roots, and cleaned the old medium from them.

OK thanks, I will try that. The last thing I want to do is damage the plants, especially as they are doing so well, so I will not cut away healthy roots.

Cheers, Simon

[brookn]

Sounds good, let us know how that goes.