Aerial roots

[Ontario Sue]

I'm wondering about aerial roots. My understanding is that they store water and plump ones are a sign of adequate watering. But even though most of the roots are nicely plump, others are not and a couple have withered. Am I doing something wrong? Is it good practise to remove the withered roots? Also why do some plants have only a couple of aerial roots but two others have 13 and 16 respectively. When the roots are over the pot and down to the window sill, should I leave them be or clip them?

My first orchid bloomed for 8 months, rested for 7 weeks and then two more stems shot up. I was hooked! I live in a condo so space limits the number of orchids I can have and sadly have reached my limit with 7 Phalaenopsis orchids.

Thanks for your input.
Sue

[kid a]

Aerial roots gather water via humidty and during waterings. I don't know if they store water per say but psuedobulbs do. I think it just depends on the type of plant as far as having areial roots or not when potted in a mix. Many orchids are mounted in nature on trees and rocks and they tend to have a large number of aerial roots. Some orchids only grow in the ground in compost or debris and tend to have all roots under "ground". I would definitely not cut the aerial roots off! It is a sign that the plant is doing well and the more roots the better it can get what it needs to thrive. I think it could cause the plant to be set back if it a main root that others branch off of.

[butt0n]

Definitely don't cut off good aerial roots. If they're dead and dried up, that's fine. Same goes for the roots under the bark, or whatever medium you're using.

[mayres]

My experience is that lots of good growing aerial roots is GOOD. Enjoy them. Usually if you have dried up aerial roots - it is caused by a plant coming from a humid greenhouse environment and then being moved to a drier place. Once they have dried up hard I remove them - the plant will grow fresh/new ones if it is inclined to do so. The degree to which plants grow aerial roots definately appears to be somewhat genetic - in identical environments some will grow much more than others.

[Brooke]

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

[Aleksa]

What is the difference between 'aerial' roots and ones which grow in potting media? I believe that there is no difference except maybe those in media have less velamen because of more humid conditions. Orchids have just one type of roots...

[Rocinante]

Basically, there is no difference. "Aerial root" is simply a way to describe a root that sticks out into the air, as opposed to a root that is below the potting medium. Sometimes an out of bloom spike can act as an "aerial root" as well!

[Ontario Sue]

Thanks for your help. So aerial roots are like freckles - some folks like them, others don't, but it doesn't hurt to have some. Personally I don't mind them at all but just wanted to know I was looking after them properly.
Ontario Sue