Orchids significantly differ from other indoor plants in their root system, since the roots not only grow in the soil, some of them are located above the pot. This is alarming for many gardeners and raises a large number of questions. To get answers to them, you need to know what the aerial roots of orchids are, and why they are needed.
The main reasons for the appearance
Aerial roots in an orchid are normal. They appear due to the natural ability of plants to germinate in trees or swamps. With the help of this structure of the root system, the flower is held on the tree trunk and is fed by microelements in the air. In indoor orchid species, several aerial roots grow as a result of insufficient plant care.
Orchid will decorate the house with its unusual flowering
In its appearance, the root system of orchids resembles a sponge planted on a thick and long process. This coating is called velamen, it takes an active part in the process of plant nutrition. It is through the spongy membrane that the flower absorbs moisture. Under the velamen are bundles of blood vessels that are filled with moisture and distribute it throughout the plant.
If the orchid forms new aerial roots every two months, this means that the gardener is not caring for her properly.
Important! If a large number of aerial roots appear on orchids, or they are completely absent, then the irrigation regime should be reviewed.
The main reasons that roots can come out of the pot are:
- high temperature in the room;
- the root system is constantly flooded;
- dry soil in a pot;
- not enough light for photosynthesis;
- high density of soil.
Orchid transplant
The plant is transplanted in such cases:
- The orchid has grown significantly and no longer fits in the pot, its aerial roots spread more and more on the surface.
- A large amount of salts was deposited in the substrate during irrigation with hard water.
- The pot contains moss that does not allow moisture to evaporate completely. This leads to the formation of rot on the root system.
Most gardeners will truly wonder where the moss comes from. Watering is carried out according to the rules, once a week, to allow the soil to dry. The reasons lie in the conditions in which the plant was grown in the nursery. Most often, sphagnum moss is used for seedling germination. After the formation of a complete root system, the flower is transplanted into the bark, the moss is left among the roots. All this is done so that the orchid feels comfortable during transportation from the nursery to the buyer's house. Later, the sphagnum dries and becomes dense, which begins to provoke the formation of rot.
Aerial roots of orchids take part in photosynthesis
Where to get aerial roots
Important! When transplanting orchids, it should be noted that the procedure is best performed when the plant is at rest. Otherwise, the flowers and buds will fall off.
To work, you will need to prepare:
- substrate;
- transparent dishes for transplanting orchids;
- Activated carbon;
- secateurs;
- the plant itself.
The transplant process should be as follows:
- Holes must be made in the pot to allow excess fluid to drain.
- The roots of the flower in the old pot are watered to give them elasticity.
- The plant is removed from the vessel and the root system is inspected.
- Rotten and dry roots are removed, the places of cuts are treated first with water, then activated carbon.
- The roots of the plant are placed on the bottom of the vessel and covered with a fresh substrate.
- The orchid is fixed in the center of the pot, while ensuring that the root neck is on the surface, the roots themselves are not damaged.
- At the end, the plant is watered and exposed in a warm place.
Many are interested in the question: is it necessary to bury the orchid root? The aerial roots of an orchid should not be buried in the soil mixture. They need to be distributed on the surface and fill only the void between the walls of the vessel and the processes.
How to transplant an orchid when there are many roots
If a plant has a large number of processes, then they can not be cut in any case. In this case, you need a larger pot. After all, the presence of a large number of processes indicates the discomfort of the plant at this stage of its development.
First of all, you need to remember that the orchid does not like to be near the radiators in the winter, because they dry the air very much. Therefore, the plant releases its roots in search of moisture and nutrients. To correct this situation, it is enough to transfer the flower to another place.
Root cutting
Most inexperienced gardeners, trying to give attractiveness to orchids, cut off aerial roots. In no case can this be done, because it is thanks to them that the plant eats and, accordingly, lives.
Pruning is done when the roots begin to dry or rot. Here you have to reanimate the plant, saving it from the diseased parts of the root system.
The main component of soil mix is pine bark
You can distinguish a healthy root from a patient by its appearance. A healthy root has a green color, since it, like leaves, takes part in photosynthesis. Dead - has a darkened color and does not turn green when dipped in water.
Important! Living roots cannot be cut. This procedure hurts the plant and makes it impossible to eat.
The subtleties of plant care
In order for the peduncle of the orchid to decorate the room, the grower needs to know how to properly care for the plant. It is recommended to pay more attention to watering, lighting and soil mix.
Priming
In order for the orchid to feel comfortable, you need to prepare a special soil. You can buy it in a flower shop or make it yourself. To do this, you will need:
- charcoal;
- pine bark;
- coconut fiber;
- polystyrene;
- expanded clay;
- peat;
- fern rhizome;
- sphagnum;
- perlite;
- vermiculitis;
- Pine cones;
- humus.
Lighting
Orchids need a lot of light. In this case, the lighting should be scattered, since direct sunlight can have a detrimental effect on the flower.
Watering
Since the orchid in natural conditions does not grow in the soil, but on the trees, then it eats from the bark of the tree, through which rain water flows. Based on this, we can conclude that the plant needs moderate watering. There must be holes in the pot to drain excess moisture.
There are varieties that, on the contrary, like wetter soil. These include:
- Phalaenopsis;
- Cymbidium;
- Odontoglossum;
- Paphiopedilum.
In summer, any of the varieties should be watered a little more often than in winter.
Orchid will become a decoration of the house, if it is properly looked after, create comfortable conditions for development. In gratitude, the plant will bloom and smell for a long time.
