Absolutely correct Bud. I didn't want to get too technical, but I'll disagree with Phillip. The young tips of the root doesn't absorb much of anything unlike roots on most terrestrial plants in soil. The older the velamen the more absorptive it gets. Mature velamen aborbs moisture immediately. It is very efficient at absorbing water. As it matures it becomes more and more efficient at absorbing moisture. In terrestrial plants (lima beans, elms, ruttabegas, pines, ect) the root tips are the primary absorbers of moisture and elements needed for metabolism while in most orchids it is the opposite as can be seen in the pics I posted. (And remember this is a friendly discussion).
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