Phalaenopsis roots growing straight up, holes in leaves.

[Narttu]

Hi there
I'm very new to the forum and have a couple of questions about one of my phals. After killing two, (over watered the first and the second was in bark, which I just couldn't get the hang of) I now have two in moss that seem to be doing quite well.

Both are on a south facing windowsill, where I rotate them each day to keep the leaves growing evenly (I forgot a couple of days in a row and the newest leaf on the larger one is now growing sideways. Really hoping it will fix itself up!) They are planted in premium sphagnum moss, watered as they dry out, and fertilized with an orchid fertilizer with each watering. They both appear to be quite happy.

The larger of the two has 2 aerial roots that are growing straight up, I mean literally almost vertical. Is this normal? =\
There are also spots and holes in some of its leaves. I have looked for pests on the plant itself and in the moss it is planted in and can't find anything! Could somebody tell me what may be happening?

I have added photos below..

Thanks!

[gardengirl13]

roots will grow how and where they like. Nothing you can really do about it.

Here's one of mine, the plant on the left. She's been doing this for about 6 months now. Just growing crazy roots!

154688924 photo - gardengirl13 photos at pbase.com

As for the holes I'm not sure. I have one phal that I got with three little almost holes. It wasn't all the way through, but they were just little spots. It hasn't gotten worse, there are no new holes. So I'm not sure what caused it. Sorry I can't help you there. Are they new holes though, or did it come with them?

[james mickelso]

Nice plants GG. As for roots growing vertically or even horizontally out of the pot, remember that phals grow on tree trunks and branches. They are reaching for root holds. It is normal. As the root grows it usually grows toward the firm surface it is already attached to but not always. It makes little difference to the plant. These roots can reach feet in length in the wild. They do not grow preferencially toward the ground like a terrestrial plant which has iron molecules in the root tip that make it grow toward soil. When you water, try and water these roots. I take a bottle and pour water along the roots so they get some moisture. When I had lots of phals and my house at the beach, I would take all of my phals into the shower and run luke warm water onto them for a few minutes. They really responded well. I let them drain in the shower then put them back IN THE WINDOW FOR MY NEIGHBORS TO SEE.

[FSUOrchids]

The circular holes may be snails.

[AussieVanda]

Originally Posted by Narttu

...Both are on a south facing windowsill, where I rotate them each day to keep the leaves growing evenly (I forgot a couple of days in a row and the newest leaf on the larger one is now growing sideways. Really hoping it will fix itself up!)

Just remember that our south side facing windowsill differ from those in the northern hemisphere In terms of amount of sunlight received.

[Narttu]

Thank you gardengirl13 and james mickelso, you've put my mind at ease about the roots

The holes were not there when I bought the plant, they appeared one by one about a month after. Mostly on the larger plant, but there is also one small hole on a leaf of the smaller, younger plant. After 1-2 weeks the holes stopped appearing and there haven't been any new ones since. I kept checking the plants at different times through the day and night to try and catch whatever was creating them, but could never find anything!

AussieVanda, I didn't think about that.. Should I move them?
I kind of only have the option of south or east facing windows. The entire north side of our house has a patio running along it, and the west facing windows are really impractical and within easy reach of our cats.. But if my phals would be happier somewhere else I'd make it work

[AussieVanda]

A few variables in place can make a difference and hard for me to give anything other than general advice. During warmer months sun rises and sets below true east and west marks whilst in cooler months it can be above, hence longer days in summer and shorter ones in winter. So....during summer your south facing windowsill may in fact be getting adequate light but in cooler months you may need to move it to perhaps an eastern perspective.

[Narttu]

Thanks Aussie, I will give that a try