Banding on orchid roots sign of underwatering?

[bethmarie]

An orchid seller recently told me that the banding I saw on some of the roots in the greenhouse was a sign of the orchid not getting enough water. I've got a few photo examples...I'm wondering if anyone has heard this before. The man ought to have known--he makes his living in an orchid greenhouse (lucky dog!) Wondering if anyone else's experience backs up this point of view.

[Gage]

From your pictures it does look like it may need water a bit more frequently. The roots are growing in short starts and stops.

[WhiteRabbit]

Interesting ... tho if it's just the aerial roots, I'd be careful about watering more. If roots in the media, and the plants themselves look good, I wouldn't change the watering. Don't want the aerial roots to improve at the expense of potted roots and the plant as a whole.

[Gage]

Good point WhiteRabbit. Although I would still think that a root's grow halting from lack of water would be from the plant's overall lack of hydration, not just moisture on that root. Otherwise my Phals' aerial roots would have shriveled up long ago, since I never water them. I think this principle would apply to just about any genera.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Gage

Good point WhiteRabbit. Although I would still think that a root's grow halting from lack of water would be from the plant's overall lack of hydration, not just moisture on that root. Otherwise my Phals' aerial roots would have shriveled up long ago, since I never water them. I think this principle would apply to just about any genera.

Could be, tho with the dry days here in summer I have had aerial roots die. I certainly don't know what the case is here, just thought it is best to see how roots in the media are, and the plant overall.