Aerial Roots - good sign or lack of something? - Orchid Board

Maree · #1 02-12-2010, 02:19 PM

Most of my phals are putting out lots of aerial roots the last few months. They all look very healthy and I always hope they are spikes, but they are roots. Now my question... it is a good sign or a lack of something? Thanks for any info.

slipperfreak · #2 02-12-2010, 02:29 PM

I would say neither - it's just something they do. They are epiphytes after all! If you mist them (the aerial roots), and soak them when you water, they will absorb that moisture and actually serve their purpose though.

Maree · #3 02-12-2010, 02:45 PM

I hoped that was the answer. Our house humidifier on our furnace does not seem to be as effective as last year and the humidity this winter in in the 30's were it was in the 40's last year. Just wondered if that was the cause, and the roots were looking for moisture. I do pour water over the roots when I water the plant. Thanks much for your prompt reply.

trdyl · #4 02-12-2010, 02:50 PM

Yep. This is perfectly normal.

Ingrid76 · #5 02-12-2010, 05:37 PM

I found this article on another forum. It's part 2 of a 4 part series on professional phal growing. This section discusses potting materials. There’s a small section that mentions how opaque pots disrupt photosynthesis in roots and possibly contribute to an increase production of aerial roots. It is interesting reading!

http://www.hrt.msu.edu/faculty/Runkl...art2%20Aug.pdf

cabbo · #6 02-12-2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingrid76

I found this article on another forum. It's part 2 of a 4 part series on professional phal growing. This section discusses potting materials. There’s a small section that mentions how opaque pots disrupt photosynthesis in roots and possibly contribute to an increase production of aerial roots. It is interesting reading!

http://www.hrt.msu.edu/faculty/Runkl...art2%20Aug.pdf

Where are the other parts of that article?