Light and Roots

[orchidrandall]

Do the roots have to be protected from the light?

[Ross]

What type of orchids? No, not normally. I have lots of orchids that send roots all over the place. They are after moisture and really don't care about the light. Think about most epiphytes in nature growing on trees. Hope this helps.

[Tindomul]

Don't the roots of most epiphytes take advantage of light and photosynthesize. Therefore the answer would be if the roots are green and your plant an epiphyte, then do not protect them from the light. Just keep them in a humid environment and as always, not wet all the time.

[Neverend]

Epiphytic orchids generally benefit from light actually, since their roots can also carry out photosynthesis (though not as great a scale as the leaves). However do take note they also have roughly the same tolerance as the leaves do, so don't expose the roots of shade-loving plants to direct sun!

[orchidexpress]

Roots like all light. My roots grow in the pots, out of the pots, everywhere. I have a vanilla plant that is growing around my greenhouse. It's in a pot yet it's way up and around, clinging on with 'roots'

Happy Growing!
Lee