Odontocidium root pictures

[(..._...)]

Hello everyone!

Ok, so this is my odontocidium's new roots! There is tons of root growth (all of the old one were rotten when I purchased it at the beginning of Feb. 08 )

My only concern is the fact that the roots seem a bit brown, and the first three roots that started to grow have stopped, and show signs that they will branch out again.

I don't know if I am over or underwatering it. Could this happen to roots if they don't get enough water?

Also, I have been letting this orchid dry or close to dry in between waterings, so I can't understand how I could overwater it... ugghhh this is very annoying!! I can only keep phals roots alive! oh and phaphs

Anyone who grows this type of oncidium type orchid, healthy roots are the white coloured roots (like the ends of some of my roots) right?

Thanks!!

[Blondie]

Personally, I think your roots look great. The roots on phals are so obviously healthy/not healthy because they're all fat and green and things. My brassia had waaaaay different roots, so I was always a bit confused with that one. The roots on this orchid look fat and healthy to me, but I would wait to see what one of the experts thinks just to be sure!! I think they tend to get a light brown coloring from the medium. The really really white color when they first come out usually only stays on the ones that aren't in potting medium in the ones I have. The rest don't maintain their "virgin whites." Hee hee. My passion love goddess thingie had a couple white but mostly light brown when I repotted. Not super dark brown or black--that's not good.

Here are some dead roots on a mini I killed once as an example:

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...20&ppuser=2024

[philoserenus]

ya they look quite good to me too, dun forget 'brown' doesnt mean rot, brown and mushy is. brown colours sometime occur b/c the roots stain, haha. u know, itz like putting a white tshirt on the floor and giving the floor a few wipes, haha

[(..._...)]

haha true. I was just concerned because some of the older ones stopped growing after they were a few cm long... whatever, I will just keep the same watering schedul and see what happens]

haha Blondie- I guess their vigin white colour is hard to keep... once its gone.. their never gonna get it back

[kimstwin]

I have 1 brassia, 3 oncidiums, and 2 quad oncidium hybrids. I let all of mine get close to completely dry. My brassia roots look very similiar to your roots, except they are longer(I'm sure yours will grow). I would keep up your schedule and consider using clear pots, as they allow you to see the roots without disturbing the plant. I personally feel the clear pots help with root growth, but I'm probably wrong.

[Blondie]

Originally Posted by (..._...)

haha true. I was just concerned because some of the older ones stopped growing after they were a few cm long... whatever, I will just keep the same watering schedul and see what happens]

haha Blondie- I guess their vigin white colour is hard to keep... once its gone.. their never gonna get it back

Giggles

[Ray]

Short roots like that can indicate that the plant is having a hard time sending them through the medium, suggesting that it's either too fine, or too dense. Obviously I can't tell from the photo, but it's something to consider.

[MothLover]

Originally Posted by kimstwin

I have 1 brassia, 3 oncidiums, and 2 quad oncidium hybrids. I let all of mine get close to completely dry. My brassia roots look very similiar to your roots, except they are longer(I'm sure yours will grow). I would keep up your schedule and consider using clear pots, as they allow you to see the roots without disturbing the plant. I personally feel the clear pots help with root growth, but I'm probably wrong.

I think you're right. I remember reading somewhere (I don't remember where exactly) that some orchids actually have photosynthetic roots. I thought that was really interesting, and definately worth noting.

[(..._...)]

Originally Posted by MothLover

I think you're right. I remember reading somewhere (I don't remember where exactly) that some orchids actually have photosynthetic roots. I thought that was really interesting, and definately worth noting.

I am planning on buying clear orchid pots soon! I purchased a phal in a clear pot, and it is easy to see if the roots are healthy