Shrunken Roots Normal?

[dianecty]

Hi! I leave my orchids pretty open - meaning I keep the roots exposed to prevent rot. Some of the top roots of the orchids have shrunken tips/ends . Is this because I need to cover them and they have dried out bec of exposure? But aren't the roots normally exposed out in the wild?

The roots also shortened by themselves? The reason I say that is because I didn't see any detached rotten roots.

How do I correct this situation. I have provided some pix for more info.

The flowers/plants look ok otherwise. The roots under the medium are ok too.

Thanks all!!!

[Ross]

That's pretty normal with dry environs. When the roots re-wet, they often regro new tips and new side roots. Happens to me all the time.

[dianecty]

Thank you Ross! It makes me feel good to know I didn't screw up this time. Should I make it more humid by adding trays of water under my plant stand? I used to do this but my baby plants on the "bottom floor" would never dry out and I was afraid of root rot.

[Ross]

No, that's pretty much a waste of time. I'd just spray the roots (not plants or leaves) several times a day, if possible.

[Dorothy]

If you feel they are getting too dry you can place some sphag moss on the top of the medium and moisten it in the mornings .. I do it to my phals and the aerial roots do better by it. Don't clump the moss but just layer it. This will allow for air flow and maintain a bit of moisture to those roots. And don't re-moisten the moss until it dries out .. You'll have to find what the best schedule is for you .. it might be every morning, it might be twice a day, it might be every other day depending on the humidity of the air surrounding your orchids.
Root rot is caused by the roots not getting enough air circulation and being in soggy medium for too long.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

If you feel they are getting too dry you can place some sphag moss on the top of the medium and moisten it in the mornings .. I do it to my phals and the aerial roots do better by it. Don't clump the moss but just layer it. This will allow for air flow and maintain a bit of moisture to those roots. And don't re-moisten the moss until it dries out .. You'll have to find what the best schedule is for you .. it might be every morning, it might be twice a day, it might be every other day depending on the humidity of the air surrounding your orchids.
Root rot is caused by the roots not getting enough air circulation and being in soggy medium for too long.

Great idea! Now why didn't I think of that?

[Boonie Stomper]

OH! I'm so glad to be here! (Have not even got reply to my 1st post yet) ... It's just destimy this was the next thread I got to (see 1st post) ...
... just so happens I applied guesswork in the meantime since the 'disaster' and happen to have a lot of spagnum, some of which I'm trying to dry out since the storm got it, too. I have another question, tho - is it bad to have a plant in the state mine's in which has been in semi (mostly) shade and set it / semi-cover it in the damp spagnum in full sun?

At least, now I've learned spagnum gets along with orchids...