Help! Roots sneaking out of drain holes and slits!

[LinhT]

I don't grow catts but I've seen some pics of their roots and they do look bigger than roots on oncs but smaller than phal roots. This year, I got some different high drainage plastic pots with slits that are narrow enough to keep onc roots in. As for the bottom drainage holes, I used an old window screen and cut out a circle the right size to fit into the bottom of the pot. I'm no expert but it's saved me from repotting every other month.

[quiltergal]

I wouldn't worry about it Becca. I've got some like that and in my experience when the tip breaks off the root branches off in a new direction. JM

[Becca]

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

Lihn, I really like the idea of putting a screen in the bottom of the pot, I think it would work for the pots that don't have side slits. I'll keep it in mind when it comes to repotting time.

Until then, I guess I just won't worry about it as others seem to be fine with this happening as well. And yes, I am thankful to have the problem, it means my 'chids are happy happy!

[isurus79]

Becca, thats an interesting problem you have. Im curious about your watering habits. Are you heavy handed or the opposite? You also say that your plants are in an orchidarium, so what is the average humidity. The reason I ask is because I have over 100 orchids growing outside, most of which are in pots with large slits cut down the side of the pots and I RARELY have the problem of roots escaping. Even then, its usually only one or two roots here or there. I even have some plants where there are so many roots that the poor little plastic pot is bulging and the roots ignore the holes and stay inside. Im wondering if you might be watering too much and the roots are trying to escape the pot or if my environment is too dry and the roots are seeking more humidity (local humidity is around 50% on average here). Just wondering. Thanks!

[Royal]

Oh, you orchidarium people make me jealous! "Wah, wah -- my orchids have too many roots." or "my humidity is so high the roots grow everywhere."

Totally kidding! I think your culture and set-up is just must be spot on. Your plants are just doing what they were born to do. Most of us, like Isurus and me, actually have a lower relative humidity outside of the pot. Imagine that. So our roots seek out moisture while your roots are getting what they need inside or outside of the pot.

Remember,the pot is for our convenience, not the plant's. What am I telling you for, you're the one growing monster roots!

[Becca]

Well I water once a week, but things seem to dry out pretty quickly with that schedule, I probably should be watering every 5 days, some of the smaller 3 inch pots could use every 4 days I bet, but I don't want to push over watering them...lol...so I just stick with my once a week and mist the top layer when things start looking dry to hold them over until the watering. The humidity is around 70% to 90% and it is only around 90% when the mist system comes on, which is for about 3 to 5 seconds on the hour from 6 to 5, then it shuts off so I can allow everything to dry completely. When I do water once a week, I usually sit the pot in a container and pour water into it and let them soak for 5 minutes or so and that is all the watering I do. Even with watering this way, everything seems to dry out within 4 days or so. I have a lot of new growth as well as a mass of roots with most of my plants.

Steve, I hope well help you figure things out as to weather my roots are trying to escape or if they are happy. Isn't Hawaii pretty humid?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Becca

Well I water once a week, but things seem to dry out pretty quickly with that schedule, I probably should be watering every 5 days, some of the smaller 3 inch pots could use every 4 days I bet, but I don't want to push over watering them...lol...so I just stick with my once a week and mist the top layer when things start looking dry to hold them over until the watering. The humidity is around 70% to 90% and it is only around 90% when the mist system comes on, which is for about 3 to 5 seconds on the hour from 6 to 5, then it shuts off so I can allow everything to dry completely. When I do water once a week, I usually sit the pot in a container and pour water into it and let them soak for 5 minutes or so and that is all the watering I do. Even with watering this way, everything seems to dry out within 4 days or so. I have a lot of new growth as well as a mass of roots with most of my plants.

Steve, I hope well help you figure things out as to weather my roots are trying to escape or if they are happy. Isn't Hawaii pretty humid?

Hawaii is not as humid as you would think. This time of the year my Weatherbug tells me that the humidity is usually around 50%. This morning (its 10:15AM) we have 76% humidity, but thats because we got dumped on last night with rain (finally!!). An hour ago the humidity was 86%, so you can see what happens as the day wears on.

I wonder if your roots are searching for more water? It sounds like you have happy, healthy plants and that you have a really great watering/misting routine going. Do you have a plant that you can do an exeperiment with? If so, try watering your "experiment plant" twice a week instead of once a week and see if the root rambling slows or stops. If you are feeling really bold, you can make it more "scientific" and chop off the rambling roots (I know, that sounds bad , but they will grow back!!) of two experiment plants of about the same size and growth habit. Then continue to water one as normal and water one with a wetter regime and see if that does anything. I love experiments personally, but its not for the faint of heart! And of coarse, if you dont want to mess with your plants, then you will still continue to have healthy plants, albeit with rambling roots. Hopefully, that will be the worst problem you ever have!

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[Ross]

I need to jump in here. My plants are def not starved for water yet just about all stretch outside the pots. Consider this guy in my orchidarium with regular watering and high humidity (90% +) I just let them do their thing. I think wandering roots are not a sign of a cultural situation as much as a genetic disposition to wander. Lots of these guys grow on tree trunks and the roots are prone to wandering. I use net baskets for this reason with the ones I suspect will do this. For the others, I use a clipper to cut the pot apart when I feel the need to repot.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Ross

I need to jump in here. My plants are def not starved for water yet just about all stretch outside the pots. Consider this guy in my orchidarium with regular watering and high humidity (90% +) I just let them do their thing. I think wandering roots are not a sign of a cultural situation as much as a genetic disposition to wander. Lots of these guys grow on tree trunks and the roots are prone to wandering. I use net baskets for this reason with the ones I suspect will do this. For the others, I use a clipper to cut the pot apart when I feel the need to repot.

I totally agree! Im actually just curious because Becca is talking about her Cattleya's root wandering habits and Im wondering about my own Catts and their lack of wandering habits. Why do hers wander and mine do not? I have a feeling its due to cultural differences rather than genetic ones and am curious to see if thats true. BTW Ross, thats a great looking plant! Ang. didieri is one of those plants on my "must have" list, but it doesnt appear that often where I live.

[quiltergal]

Check out these roots. I can't contain them to save my life. Plant seems totally happy, so I'm not complaining.