Can misting roots equal overwatering?

[BunnytheOrchid]

Hi folks!

It has been awhile since I visited; I moved back to my hometown down in southern California for summer break so I've been a little busy. Compared to Monterey, it is REALLY HOT. And my orchids have noticed They seemed to have survived the 7 hour car trip well enough, but I've noticed they have been drying out much much faster. I am watering them more frequently, but my question is one of my phals (my first one actually) seems to be suffering more so with the heat than the others. Its obvious roots are starting to shrivel a bit. Is it ok to mist these as well as the bottom of the leaves? Or will misting these daily result in too much water? They aren't terribly shriveled, just not as plump as they used to be.

[articuno75]

I mist my roots when they need it. As long as there is good air flow you could mist them daily.

[Rocinante]

I was wondering where you disappeared to bunnytheorchid!
Mist the roots as often as you'd like, but I would be careful with the leaves.
The seven hour trip to a different (hotter) climate has a lot to do with what your orchid is experiencing. It will adjust in time and look the way you want it to once again. Don't try to force things with too much water. Welcome back!

[psyc1210]

I mist my orchids at least once a day, but that's mainly bc all of mine, except my Masdies are in aliflor, so it does dry out faster. I also have the fan going full force, so that doesn't help with the drying out. I don't think misting is going to hurt, because misting really doesn't put a lot of water out, just a slight amount.

[BunnytheOrchid]

Thank you for the advice. I guess my fear was the roots are a direct path to the plant (obviously), so misting them might mean extra water the phalaenopsis doesn't need. I'll try introducing mist to them slowly, like every other day or so.

The temperature change has certainly been interesting. And I suppose if its bothering me so much, it must be bothering them!

Thanks for the welcome back rocinante! I'm glad to be back too, and not driving or packing!

[arleneg]

Hi, bunnytheorchid! It's nice to see you back on the forum.

Living in a hot, dry environment (summer months), I mist roots as much as I want. They dry out in minutes. Be careful about misting leaves. I would reserve that on a hot, dry day.

[BunnytheOrchid]

Thank you arleneg
I'm curious though why misting leaves is "dangerous". I have always misted the undersides of my orchids' leaves. Is this potentially problematic?

[patticake]

Hey, Bunnytheorchid!! How the heck are ya? Good to have you back! I think the problem with misting the leaves is that water could pool in the crown and cause rot. I mist my plants every day. I have it a little towards a straight stream, and hit mostly the growing medium. If you watch what you're doing, you can mist the leaves, as long as the air flow is good, and it's not so much as to collect and run into the crown. I just blot with a paper towel if too much goes in the crown.
Are you home for good, or do you have more school? My twin daughters will be starting their junior year in college this fall.

[BunnytheOrchid]

Patticake- I'm well, and I hope you are too! Thank you for asking. I have one more year, and then the mystery begins of what to do post-college!
Also, I am a blotter as well when it comes to misting. It seems like a lot of extra effort when I know in the wild no one goes around with a paper towel or q-tip to get the excess water off them But it's for love!