Mini Phal?

[james mickelso]

There is no difference between aerial roots and roots that are buried in media. One and the same. The velamen on those that are buried are more open than those that are growing above the media. But they are the same. They don't tailor themselves one way or the other. You may see the short newer roots that have not matured yet and are shiny white as different than those older longer ones under the media. As roots elongate they become more mature and the velamen becomes more open and spongy and more able to quickly absorb water. Here are some examples of phal roots that have grown down into the media and then back out. Notice that they are young and aerial looking yet have grown through the media. The roots on the LC are also young and immature but look different once matured like the darker one right next to the younger. These young roots take much longer to change color (indicating moisture uptake) than the older more mature root right next to them.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

There is no difference between aerial roots and roots that are buried in media. One and the same. The velamen on those that are buried are more open than those that are growing above the media. But they are the same. They don't tailor themselves one way or the other. You may see the short newer roots that have not matured yet and are shiny white as different than those older longer ones under the media. As roots elongate they become more mature and the velamen becomes more open and spongy and more able to quickly absorb water. Here are some examples of phal roots that have grown down into the media and then back out. Notice that they are young and aerial looking yet have grown through the media. The roots on the LC are also young and immature but look different once matured like the darker one right next to the younger. These young roots take much longer to change color (indicating moisture uptake) than the older more mature root right next to them.

Exactamundo! Nuthin but NET.

Esp, as I explained when yr conjured paradigm becomes orchids growing in nature!!!

We ought never loose touch with that evolved perfection re any aspect of our growing them in what, by definition, must be more artificial.

Unless, of course, we grow everything mounted. Who among us has the luxury, the time.... for that?

[lauraeli]

Isnt it true that an orchid's roots adjust to the growing medium, and then when you change the medium, you lose roots? I would assume that is how it is with aerial roots vs roots growing in the medium.

The trouble i had initially with my roots was that they were very shriveled and unhealthy, and only looked healthy after soaking. They shriveled very quickly afterwards.

This was the reason i ended up burying them. I was using bark, and the skewer method, and the roots rotted very quickly.

The rot did not stop until I removed the phal from the growing medium altogether.

I can now water my phal every other day, and it is happy.

When it starts to regrow roots, i think I will set it on top of some sort of growing medium, and let the roots grow into it by themselves. But Im not happy with the bark mix I have right now. It is too coarse.

I potted my dendro in it...but I went through and picked out smaller pieces to use.

So I will have to find something else for my phal.

---------- Post added at 11:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:58 PM ----------

On a side note- I stopped at Petco again today, and those orchids are still there. Still alive :-) I suppose they are underwatering them. Some of the lower leaves are looking a tad dehydrated. And the leaves are now dark green. It has been maybe 5 weeks since I first saw them there. Oddly, they are now putting out new roots and leaves. They really enjoy being neglected, don't they?

I stopped at the gardening center today, and they were having a big sale. 50 percent off most things. I asked about the mini orchids, and she said I'll give you one free with your purchase. Can't beat free :-)