Newby Here and No Clue

[Gaby]

Hi,
I purchased a couple of orchids this year for the first time. I thought I try and see if I could grow them. I put them in new pots and they are doing fine.....until now. I recently noticed these tentacles, all green, growing out of my pots. Do I need to re-pot again? Should I wait? Please, if anybody has an idea I would appreciate the help. I do have pictures too.

[kevin1217]

Are the 'tentacles' roots? If they are, i would probaly repot soon since the pots they are in are too small. Also, welcome to OrchidBoard!

[Franco24]

Is there any way you can provide us with a picture? This way we can see exactly what you are describing.

[WhiteRabbit]

Sounds like happy orchid roots! Many commonly cultivated orchids are epiphytes (grow on tree limbs, rather than in the ground) - as such, roots like a fair amount of air and will creep out of pots or even grow straight into the air.

[tucker85]

Welcome to Orchid Board!

[Bill U.]

Welcome to Orchid Board! As others have posted before me, I would say that these sound like aerial roots that many orchids will put out from their pots. Sometimes this can be an indicator that they need to be repotted, but other times, this just means that they are happy and are "searching out" for something to grab onto (such as a tree limb or something like that, if they were in nature). Pictures would be better help us help you to determine the best course to take.

I am pretty sure that after 5 posts, you will be able to upload pictures to this thread. If you have any problems, use the search tool to help with the posting of pictures.

Welcome again to our family!

[Stray59]

Hi Gaby! Welcome to the Board - I am also new to this forum, but have grown orchids for the last 37 years. I also concur that you have found roots. This is a good sign, and may or may not indicate a need to repot. Some orchids seem to be hellbent on having some roots out in the air - but this is really more of a natural growing condition than to have them in pots. Epiphytic orchids anchor onto trees & bushes, rocks and some will drop roots into gravel or soil, although most abhor the soil. But in each case, the majority of the roots are attached to a foundation of some type and some of their roots hang loose, to gather dew and humidity. Their spongy roots are great at collecting moisture and thus they are also prone to infections from fungus and other dampness-loving pathogens. This is the reason for the need of good air circulation. I recommend you read up species habitation in nature. When you get the idea of where they naturally occur, the temperature, water availability, relative humidity and air circulation, you can somewhat duplicate these conditions in micro-climates in your home. I recommend the use of the Internet Orchid Species Encyclopedia. Don't be scared off by the names - in time you will be spouting all of your favorites. You can see a lot of orchids in situ in their native habitat. And I cannot stress the use of this forum to increase your knowledge - let some of us teach you from our (sometimes costly) mistakes. Again welcome - you will find a lot of friends! Of course we all suffer from Orchid Fever and I am afraid if you have lived two orchids for a year you probably are too far infected to do anything about it. There is no cure, besides adding to your collection, I am afraid! Welcome again and Best of luck!
Steve

[Stray59]

Gaby -
By the way - you can add pics to your post through the paperclip / attachment icon. You just cannot post any URL's to other webpages until you have entered 5 posts. This is how I understand the rules; I was able to post pics on my 2nd post, but again, had to upload them as an attachment. Pics always helps in identifying!
Again, Best of luck -
Steve

[Pennylane]

How often should I water my orchid and what should I feed it on ? I'm in the UK

[Stray59]

Gaby:
What type of orchid do you have? I guessing it is probably a phalaenopsis, as they sell so many of them in stores now. Have you seen it in bloom? If so, does the plant have broad strap-like leaves and put up a spike with an arching spray of moth-like blooms? If so, you have a phalaenopsis. I fertilize mine with an orchid fertilizer that is created at a local university. It is an odd balance of 13-3-15 with trace elements. I fertilize weakly (1/2 the suggested amount) weekly. As I water my plants three times weekly, I fertilize every other watering. This is more like nature, where nutrients are slowly breaking down and feeding the plant rather than one heavy feeding every month as some fertilizers suggest. The watering is trickier as it depends on the humidity of your home and the medium the plant is in. If it is in sphagnum peat moss only, then you will water it less than if it is in bark chips or coco chunks. The phalaenopsis tribe does not like to completely dry out for long periods, not do they like to stand in water. When the medium is starting to be mostly dry to the touch 1 inch down, then it needs water. If there is moisture there, then don't water yet. As far as how much to water, I let the water run until it starts to pour out the bottom. If you are using a fertilizer based on urea, you will want to flush it with clear water whenever you are not fertilizing.
Hope this helps -
Steve
Please send a description of your plant as you have my curiosity up! What is selling at market in the UK right now?