Dendrobium Repotting:aerial roots vs. non-aerial roots

[Bloomingal]

Dendrobium:aerial roots vs. non-aerial roots
I bought a new orchid.
Part of my selection process was to gently slide the plant out of the pot to examine the roots. In a big box store, you have to do that--sometimes you find a plant that looks good up top but is rotting at root level. So, of course, I couldn't get the plant back in just right. Now, I am not sure if the roots are too high. In fact, the very top roots were getting dry. The plant had just been watered by the store when I got it. I sprayed the drying top roots to moisten them. Now I am wondering if they are too high up--should they be below the rim, should they be covered with medium ? Does anyone have a photo showing what a potted Dendrobium should look like ? Or advice ?
Thanks!
(Here is my photo--too much flash but you can see the roots)

[BillC]

Hi, don't worry about the aerial roots looking dry, they will not come to any harm. They do not need to be below the potting medium. I suggest you get a Den. culture sheet on the forum and follow the information. Happy growing and welcome to the happy geek show.

American Orchid Society - Orchids


Bill

[articuno75]

The roots are fine. Just water and mist like you would normally do. Follow the culture sheets that are provided here and on the AOS website. It'll be fine. I'm new to Dens too! So don't panic.

[Bloomingal]

Whew ! Relief ! Thank you Jenny & Bill for the quick replies. You guys are making it way too easy for me to get addicted.
So it sounds like I will just need to mist the 'surface' roots every other day perhaps to keep them from drying out.
Here is my $5(was $35) 'discount(distressed)' Cymbidium that started the recent orchid 'collecting':

[digitalgate]

i am a bit concern about the high salt content of your water. Either i am seeing salt
deposit on your bark or you just apply fungicides. High salt content water usually do not
product good flowering.
This mean that if you have this problem. you might want to invest in a RO filter to get
rid of the excess salt. Or buy distilled water to add to your normal tap water with your
watering.
Ignore me if you just apply fungicides or pesticides .

[Bloomingal]

Hi ! I am glad you mentioned the quality of water as that is one of the very few pointers that I somehow retained a few weeks back as I read up on the care of my Cymbidium. That led to me using only distilled water.
As for the Dendrobium, I just bought it last Tuesday and it was at the mercy of HD store personnel who most likely used tap water and who knows what else-pesticides ?
I think that the flash really exagerated the presence of 'white' on the canes.
I'll try to get a better photo.
BTW, I am sure that I most likely have fungus gnats. Can I use Schultz insecticidal soap once in awhile (just on the pot surface which is also where those roots are)?
Thanks !

[articuno75]

I think it might be the bright flash of the camera that you are seeing Digital, not for sure. As for the misting and watering of the Den, just make sure that you follow the correct notes for your particular plant.

[articuno75]

There are a number of things that you can use. I use wormtea or Bayer Advance 3 in 1, the latter for fast and desparate measures.

[Bloomingal]

Re:don't worry about the aerial roots looking dry, they will not come to any harm.
Thanks for the link ! I read the culture sheet at AOS.
Does the above meesage quote mean leave, misting those roots not required ?

[articuno75]

Not required. Optional with caution

[rmt135]

I have a few Dens with aerial roots. Just water them like any other roots. Many times new roots may appear from these aerial roots as long they are not dead or rot. Don't worry. Happy growing.

[digitalgate]

the white powdery stuff on the bark. Not the cake.

[sandra]

I agree with everyone, don't worry. Roots below the medium and above the medium, make for very happy Dendrobiums.

[Bloomingal]

Thank you all. I'll leave it be and live and learn.
DigitalGate-I misspoke calling it a cane. I am a newbie after all. If it isn't flash, it is probably from the 'care' given it before arriving here including the grower and the big box store. I will attempt to treat it 'better'. I'm not an insecticide/pesticide crazed person but I do have a dislike for fungus gnats. That being said, despite my question re insecticidal soap, I still have not used it. I might spray the potted plants(indoor wintering calla lilies) who are the fungus gnat 'nursery' but not the orchid.

I've got my eye on a distressed Sogo Doll. If I buy it, we'll have lots more to discuss as its root system below surface is a mess but it is getting new roots at surface level and the top plant looks great. Or I could buy a healthy Den. Emma White. Stay tuned.

[11Orchid126]

If you use distilled water, be sure you use a fertilizer with all the macronutrients the plant needs as distilled water is dovoid of everything. Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium are not enough.

[janet_a]

aerial roots are fine. when you repot, you can stick 'em in the pot--or not. (i stuck most of these in the pot when i repotted. the plant is four feet tall and happily growing more aerial roots.)

[Bloomingal]

Now those are aerial roots !