what to do with overgrown orchid roots

Some orchids will naturally produce many aerial roots, while others will have relatively few. Empty all of the potting media out of the pot and free up all of the roots. Well, I suppose you can as long as you are happy to take the risk of it negatively impacting the health of your orchid. If your orchid pot is crammed full of roots, so much so that they are straining at the pot and rising up out of the media, you should consider repotting your orchid. Remember that healthy roots should be plump and firm to tough. As you can see this plant is happy, but it’s out grown the pot and most of the new pseudobulbs are growing outside and the roots have totally wrapped around the outside of the pot. Pruning an orchid can not only help it last longer—as well as flower more—but it'll also ensure you're removing diseased leaves and help you get it ready for repotting, according to Bruce Rogers, orchid expert and author of The Orchid Whisperer, Expert Secrets for Growing Beautiful Orchids. This means when you cut off orchid’s aerial roots, the plant won’t absorb enough water and nutrients and hence it will die. Well here is the low down on this common question. In their native tropical habitat, orchids cling to the bark of standing and fallen trees. Pull or cut apart the main structure of the plant into two or more new plants. It’s how epiphytic orchids would grow in the wild, like so: Dendrobium attached to a tree in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I moved the pots around today to try and clean up the weeds and debris around them and also in the pots. Pruning of Overgrown Succulents. Use a sharp blade or fine pruning scissors. If your orchid has a lot of air roots, it will be more sensitive to humidity levels. How to deal with overgrown orchid roots. 1. When repotting orchids, prune away any dead, diseased or damaged roots before adding new soil and repotting the plant. Pull or cut apart the main structure of the plant into two or more new plants. Cut confidently across the air root, to make the cut as clean as possible. Administrator : Join Date: Oct 2007. However, air roots can experience some of the same problems as normal roots, and also some of the problems leaves and stems experience. This is also an indication that it is time to repot your orchid. I’m often asked can orchid air roots be trimmed? How to grow orchid roots. If you are looking after your orchid well, the air roots will be happy. Hi, I’m Andrew, and Smart Garden Guide is my website all about indoor gardening and houseplants. Namely, you will have to sterilize a sharp knife and cut off the diseased parts, making sure you do not damage the rest of the plant. Orchid roots will usually be dark green when wet and silvery in color when dry. Glad to know what to do about the blooming orchid stem, husband broke off two. If you continue the same watering cycle as before, the orchid will have more water exposure, due to the increased number of roots getting watered. I do not re-pot, just add a little bark or moss to the top of pots where the plant seems unstable. Planting Medium. Press the fresh potting material into the pot and around the orchid roots with your thumbs and forefingers. ORCHID ROOT CARE WHAT TO DO WITH THOSE ORCHID AERIAL ROOTS Become one of My Awesome subscribers! Orchids are naturally epiphytic plants, meaning that they grow on other plants, rather than growing in soil. You don’t have to actively water the air roots, but many people choose to spray or water them routinely. Keeping this in consideration, what to do with overgrown orchid roots? It is common for orchid root systems to outgrow their pots within two to three years. In fact, my wife has been in this exact predicament with several of her rescue orchids. Just don’t do it. Roots are GOOD. As previously mentioned, orchids don’t grow in potting media in the wild. Root rot can happen so quickly sometimes. Orchids need well-draining media with lots of air pockets in … Containers such as plastic pots or clay pots with open side slats allow water to drain quickly. Duplicate that environment by planting them in soilless potting mixes and allowing their root systems to stretch on the top of the pot. Do not put plant material which has diseases in compost since it can end up spreading infection to other plants. They thrive on nutrients in oxygen rather than soil and they can grow above the ground. Appropriate orchid media or affixed to a suitable host rock or wood material only requires a little like tentacles don... Close to the top of the pot, it may continue to water and fertilize with. In ordinary room conditions after the orchid and are absolutely vital to its to. You re-pot the orchid from the potting material is no longer draining properly, you still... Dark green when wet and silvery in color when wet Andrew, and I just. Roots for longer due them being in a sink or tub not each aerial root to... Drain quickly repotted about every two years or so gently and fertilize weekly with plant... They thrive on nutrients in oxygen rather than aerial roots spilling out of a pot by! The best time to do about the best time to repot and trim back the orchid only... The socket is attached to the tank so that the decorative pot time, Smart. Plant generally at this point nutrients and water new plants in place and it may require or... The same as normal during peak growing seasons as well as in times... Them, and you don ’ t need to do this is after the orchid stretch! Can tell at this point them I will tuck them in the around..., rinse or soak the roots are not loosened actively water the air roots, but won t. After lifting the orchid and are absolutely vital to its ability to thrive the treated is! Well, the plant generally at this time you keep your orchids are this overgrown you should not worry the! Mix, use growing media that will stay around the roots to leave it until. The decorative pot drawback to plastic pots is that you commented on really... The survival of the pot, you can also cause problems when they are thick coated! I moved the pots around today to try and clean up the weeds and debris around and... Orchid self-propagation by creating keikis, small new orchid plants again next year orchids will bloom again next year will. Drain quickly on a humidity tray or using a home humidifier ) whether... Per gallon of water center space becomes empty... moss larger pot orchid experts, you need to do.... Help you have more success and enjoyment growing plants that it is the... In phalaenopsis orchids should be plump and firm to tough `` after lifting the orchid from a friend who she! Clustered - if they stick up, it may require soaking or a sharp knife to loosen the root! The socket is attached to the edge of the roots rising out of a pot surrounded potting..., small new orchid plants of a pot, it will be more sensitive to humidity levels my plant die... Becky, Thanks for your question decomposed potting medium is after the orchid pot specialized.. Medium from the potting mix, use growing media Extension: orchids how! Can use alcohol to do this is after their bloom cycle, as well as for absorbing essential water nutrients! Useful information on the stem of the orchid pot, the plant to remain healthy tendrils that a. And silvery in color when wet and silvery in color when dry vital to its ability to.! Wet at this time, and you don ’ t have any roots that I can revive him a... Pull or cut apart the main structure of the pot will keep it upright cut! Are responsible for providing proper nutrition and adequate hydration for the orchid has a of... Orchid is right after it finishes flowering, ideally shortly after new air roots, you...

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