New Potting Technique, Root Health

[Douglas Scanlan]

I have been experimenting with a potting technique I thought of, using transparent glass floral stones in a wire basket. My intention is to create an environment for the roots more like their natural habitat- light exposure for the roots, open air flow, and the ability air dry after watering within one or two days- just like in the wild if the roots were rained on. The first pic I have attached here is of the potted plant so you can see what I am describing. I have to water much more frequently this way since the glass retains no moisture, but also my apartment is at 70% humidity. I water at least every other day.
Here is the problem: My roots are not doing well. One of my Phals potted this way finally lost its blossoms (after 6 months!) so today I cut the spike and pulled the roots out of the glass to inspect them. The last three pics I attached here are of the roots before clean up, and after clean up, as well as a close up fo the dead clippings. I am baffled because I don't understand how the roots could have rotted in this potting system and I'm not even certain that rotting is the problem. The problem roots look more like they are dry and withered rather than rotten, but they were cerainly exposed to plenty of moisture. Can anyone tell from these photos what the problem really is?

[Zoi2]

Using the glass does make a pretty potted plant, and I can see the ease in watering etc.
For my I wonder if the glass is just too heavy for the roots and for real air circulation.
What was the plant potted in before and what were your roots doing? If you did not have new root growth when you changed the growing media, you may not have had enough roots to acclimate to the new media.
Joann

[Des]

Douglas I had similar problems when experimenting with smaller glass beads , my thoughts were that the glass was somehow poisoning the root system by giving off some chemical . I was never quite able to figure out the problem and scrapped the idea in favor of CHC

[musicloveranthony]

I think it will be a waiting game If you change the growing media, the roots that had acclimated to a different environment will be less able, or unable, to thrive in the new setting. The older roots will die, but the plant will eventually put out new roots that will function in whatever environment their exposed to (within reason, of course). If you've mounted a potted plant, you'll know what I mean. The old roots that were never exposed to light, nor (for all realistic intents) air flow die off, but new roots grow in after a few months and will be properly suited to the new environment.

Don't give up, just yet It looks like there are some bright green happy new roots!

[musicloveranthony]

Also, the roots might be unhappy having no surface to grasp. They're designed to grasp and anchor the plant. Maybe they need something more coarse mixed in with the glass to provide footholds for the roots? Just a thought

[orchidsamore]

The problem is the Orchid family you chose. Phalaenopsis never like to dry out and the glass can not hold water. Therefor, they are grwoing bare root and will be needed to be watered every day.

Your allowing them to dry out in a day or two is not the proper care for a Phalaenopsis.

[Douglas Scanlan]

Lots of interesting feedback here!

I would like to clarify the theory that the damage is a result of the glass not retaining any moisture. If Phals naturally grow up in trees and cliff walls, with their roots exposed to the open breeze and light, I do not understand why it is nessessary in captivity for them to be envoloped in a damp dark package 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I developed this potting system in an attempt to mimic their natural habitat. I do water the roots every other day most of the time, the room does have 70% humidity, and when I pour out the pot a day after watering, I always find that the innermost glass surfaces and innermost roots are still damp. However I am wondering if it is possible for all this damage to transpire just during one or two busy weeks when I don't get around to watering every other day, or forget to fill the humidifier? How long would it take for that extent of damage to form from lack of water?

I could take comfort in the notion that the root system is re-aclimating if I could confirm there is new root growth. But it just appears to me more like a significant number of the original roots survived until now (which in itself is encouraging, although I lost more than half). Do new roots look the same as mature roots, just a bit smaller and shorter? When I re-potted the Phal in glass over 5 months ago, the roots were healthy and green, but I can't say they were "new".

I plan to continure with this experiment, but I would like to switch to plastic instead of glass (less weight, I think there may be some truth to the damage via weight theory). Also the glass is covered with an irredescent coating (possibly toxic). My online search for plastic was a bit discouraging ($$$$ rediculous!)

Im not sure how to address the issue of giving the roots something to cling to since most transparent objects are smooth, but I'm open to suggestions. I really want to stick with "transparency" based on my theory that the roots should have exposure to light.

[Douglas Scanlan]

Originally Posted by Des

Douglas I had similar problems when experimenting with smaller glass beads , my thoughts were that the glass was somehow poisoning the root system by giving off some chemical . I was never quite able to figure out the problem and scrapped the idea in favor of CHC

Thanks, and what is CHC?

[Des]

Originally Posted by Douglas Scanlan

Thanks, and what is CHC?

Coconut husk chips

[Douglas Scanlan]

I see. You like that more than fir bark?