?? Please watch the video??

[Yukonphal]

OK....I kinda have a question to throw into this
As orchid growers we strive to have our plants grow a large healthy root system ,correct?
On the other hand though....can an over abundance of roots....even lovely fat healthy roots...be a sign of too much (nitrogen) in the fertilizers we are using, if there are waay more roots than normally produced by a healthy , thriving orchid? Or maybe even too little of the (P,K) ?

[Mira-Claude]

Maybe it would be a reason, now that you say it.
I guess it's why many books warn us against it and insist in flushing.
Note to self keep flushing most of the time!
but then again if it is getting poisoned by too much minerals than it's probably because you are to heavy handed on the fertilizer no?
Wouldn't simply lowering the amount and spacing them with flushing d a better job than cutting off?

[Yukonphal]

I'm not agreeing with any point of view in this discussion....and I wasnt necessarily saying that the plant is being poisoned with chemical fertilizers...but I have seen it where a plant fed on chemical fertilizers has grown extensive leaves, or roots, because of the fertilizer , and the opposite part of the plant has suffered...not necessarily in orchids , but still plants.
Hothouse Hydroponic tomatoes are manipulated on purpose this way...they have huge plants producing large amounts of fruit...but their root system is the size of your fist...its done so they dont put all their "energy" into roots instead of fruit

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Originally Posted by Yukonphal

OK....I kinda have a question to throw into this
As orchid growers we strive to have our plants grow a large healthy root system ,correct?
On the other hand though....can an over abundance of roots....even lovely fat healthy roots...be a sign of too much (nitrogen) in the fertilizers we are using, if there are waay more roots than normally produced by a healthy , thriving orchid? Or maybe even too little of the (P,K) ?

That could very well be a possibility, but heck, who cares if our orchids throw a huge flush of fat, healthy roots from a little too much fertilizer? Unless you burn the roots, or you were trying to induce flowers for a show or special occasion, etc. there is no harm done that can't be righted. The only thing I can think off that could lead to problems from too high of nitrogen dose is an insectal infection on the abnormally lush leaves that result in too much nitrogen. And like I stated, this can easily be righted.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by Yukonphal

OK....I kinda have a question to throw into this
As orchid growers we strive to have our plants grow a large healthy root system ,correct?
On the other hand though....can an over abundance of roots....even lovely fat healthy roots...be a sign of too much (nitrogen) in the fertilizers we are using, if there are waay more roots than normally produced by a healthy , thriving orchid? Or maybe even too little of the (P,K) ?

Yes, using a fertilizer with a significantly higher nitrogen level than anything else would result in increased vegetative growth (fleshy orchid roots count as vegetative). Which is why I also use and recommend a balanced fertilizer. That way the plant is getting basically even levels of the main nutrients, and it isn't "persuaded" to grow either vegetatively or otherwise. It's my belief that a happy healthy (heavily rooted ) plant will bloom regularly, if given correct culture (which would be needed tiger a big healthy plant anyways)

[Mira-Claude]

Yukonpal, I am not asking you to take a side. It would be preposterous of me to do so.
But I am still trying to find reasons to cut of healthy roots. And researching I am!
Usually in very high toxicity I would try to go for distilled water instead of tap water which can also have a fair few minerals.
Hum more research to do!

[Yukonphal]

apparently this isnt the only place this discussion has been had
Do you prune phal roots to fit a smaller pot? - Orchids Forum - GardenWeb

[Mira-Claude]

Thank you so much for that link.
It will help my research along!

[Mira-Claude]

Something that made me think:
'commercial growers with optimum conditions, can get away with drastic root pruning, but the average home grower should be cautious'
It is so true!
In most houses humidity is a problem as it gets to low up North as I am. In winter we frequently see humidity go down under 15%. Root pruning in these conditions is dangerous. Probably why you see so much aversion to the technique. But I suppose that if humidity is not a problem, pruning shouldn't be one as well.
I guess, also, that plants that needs to stay dryer could do better with pruning to keep them from feeding to much. (I do tend to go heavily with water and have to restrain myself often)
More research on the way!

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by Mira-Claude

Something that made me think:
'commercial growers with optimum conditions, can get away with drastic root pruning, but the average home grower should be cautious'
It is so true!
In most houses humidity is a problem as it gets to low up North as I am. In winter we frequently see humidity go down under 15%. Root pruning in these conditions is dangerous. Probably why you see so much aversion to the technique. But I suppose that if humidity is not a problem, pruning shouldn't be one as well.
I guess, also, that plants that needs to stay dryer could do better with pruning to keep them from feeding to much. (I do tend to go heavily with water and have to restrain myself often)
More research on the way!

Soo true!!! Good point Mira! And also, commercial growers can't choose the perfect sized pot for each individual orchid. And it's hard to sell a plant that has an overly large pot! So I'm guessing that they trim all their roots to fit into whatever sized pot they need. While it may not be good for the plant, they can get away with it because they have near perfect conditions. And they want to keep it in a smaller lot for ease of shipping and selling. And they have a REASON for cutting the roots! They aren't doing it because they think it's healthier for the plant!!!!! You know why?! Because it's NOT HEALTHIER!!!!!