Watering + root health = elusive ideal?

[m.dlny]

Ray, your comment is educational - as they always are to me ))) Of course, a healthy root system is a goal for me regarding my plants - however, what I want to know, in a healthy root system, will EVERY root be actively growing? In other words, if I have 20 roots in a pot, and 13 are actively growing, but 7 are dormant, does it mean I have a problem with the culture or with a particular plant (i.e. lingering fungal struggles, etc)?

---------- Post added at 01:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:50 PM ----------

Dear Shadeflower,

Thank you for your input )) Yes, indeed, as I have learned (after many failures!) that with orchids many effects are stretched in time - from blooms to problems ))

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

Personally I am happy if I see a few active root tips.

So, do you mean, that not every root in the pot will be active, but a plant can still be healthy and happy? In other words, if not every root is active, it does not mean there is a problem?

And a special "THANK YOU" for your root moisture testing method! I can tell already that I will definitely be using it ))))

---------- Post added at 01:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:00 PM ----------

Kim, I am sure, you are correct as all factors have to be in balance to keep them healthy. For example, we recently had a cold spell, so I could tell that plants stopped growing through it - and adjusted the care accordingly. I suppose, what I am really trying to understand is will a healthy plant have every single root tip actively growing or can a healthy plant also have some dormant root tips, and still be ok?

---------- Post added at 01:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 PM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

Growths of most orchids in a typical lower humidity home environment are usually smaller than growths in a higher humidity environment.

Estación seca, thank you - as always - for your input. I must say, I am, no doubt, greedy in my wishes - I want to keep them at home, but wish for the plants to grow as if they were in a perfect condition greenhouse (or jungle!)

---------- Post added at 01:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Your challenge is to find the best combination of medium and watering frequency for the various plants under YOUR conditions. Confounded by the fact that different types have different needs. So observe your plants and you'll develop the knowledge of what works for you.

Roberta, a journey of a lifetime, I suppose ))))))

---------- Post added at 01:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:17 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Watering is probably the most difficult aspect of growing orchids...

It is certainly true from my limited experience )) I am glad I did not know this before I got my plants - otherwise I might have been too petrified to even get started