Strange dark purple root tips on phal
Login
User Name
Password   


Registration is FREE. Click to become a member of OrchidBoard community
(You're NOT logged in)

menu menu

Sponsor
Donate Now
and become
Forum Supporter.

Strange dark purple root tips on phal
Many perks!
<...more...>


Sponsor
 

Google


Fauna Top Sites
Register Strange dark purple root tips on phal Members Strange dark purple root tips on phal Strange dark purple root tips on phal Today's PostsStrange dark purple root tips on phal Strange dark purple root tips on phal Strange dark purple root tips on phal
LOG IN/REGISTER TO CLOSE THIS ADVERTISEMENT
Go Back   Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web ! > >
Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-24-2014, 12:51 PM
Fuzzy Fuzzy is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 51
Strange dark purple root tips on phal
Default Strange dark purple root tips on phal

I bought this Phal Surf Song exactly a month ago. I chose it for its gorgeous roots and general health (thanks to the sticky post that was very helpful). The first picture shows the roots when I just brought it home. Well, for the first roughly 3 weeks the phal did nothing but bloom (it is still in full bloom and looking gorgeous). The roots all but stopped growing, there were no changes in them for 3 weeks. Then all of a sudden, about a week ago, all the tips started growing again, except they look very, very odd (see the last 2 pictures). First, they are very dark reddish-purple in color. Second, they have what looks like whitish specks on the tips. Finally, there's a chafing band-looking thing on the roots where the new tips are growing (second picture shows it best). What gives? Is there a problem with the phal? Is this fungus? Could it be a problem with my watering? Given that it's in sphagnum that dries VERY slowly, I basically give it about 4 oz of water every 10-12 days or so, but I mist the aerial roots daily from a spray bottle since the humidity here is quite low and the top dries out quickly.

I read somewhere that this could indicate the phal is getting too much sunlight. Should I lower the shade? The root tips that are buried in the medium look beige instead of dark purple. Bottom line: do you think there is any problem with the phal's roots? Anything I need to change?
Attached Thumbnails
Strange dark purple root tips on phal-june-25-img_20140625_095204_049-jpg   Strange dark purple root tips on phal-july-23-img_20140723_160459_699-jpg   Strange dark purple root tips on phal-july-23-img_20140723_160453_423-jpg  
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-24-2014, 01:10 PM
RandomGemini RandomGemini is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jul 2013
Zone: 5b
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 2,436
Strange dark purple root tips on phal Female
Default

Looks totally normal to me.

I suspect that this is a dire case of "really really really loving this orchid." I have been bitten by this bug more than once myself.

No, I don't see any signs that this plant is getting too much light at all. Some of my phals grow root tips that are sort of purple at the ends. Some do not. Normally, the purple tipped roots are from plants with some red on the flower, like Phal. Surf Song.

I got mine about a month ago too and it's already one of my favorite phals. You really can't beat the color on those blooms, can you? My Phal Violacea's roots have a very slight purple tinge to them too.

I don't know if this is actually what happens, but it seems to me like the root tips turn purple when growth stalls for a bit, then they green up again as growth begins on the root again. I could be totally wrong on that, I'm not an expert.

Anyway, relax. I think your plant is just fine.
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Likes
Likes Fuzzy, MattWoelfsen liked this post
  #3  
Old 07-24-2014, 01:12 PM
Atzau Atzau is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Toronto, ontario
Posts: 200
Strange dark purple root tips on phal Female
Default

yup, i think it's normal. my phal has always had purplish root tips too. no need to worry.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
Likes Fuzzy liked this post
  #4  
Old 07-24-2014, 01:14 PM
Suzanne17 Suzanne17 is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2014
Zone: 6b
Member of:AOS
Location: Hershey, PA
Posts: 327
Default

Others will chime in here too, but I have phals with purply root tips as well as green. I think it means they are happy and growing and it may be a response to light, but it you aren't seeing other signs of distress re too much light (like discolored leaves) I think you are fine.

Edit- I type too slowly. I have this phal too! It's one of my favorites. It's putting on a mega show right now.
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Likes
Likes Fuzzy, RandomGemini liked this post
  #5  
Old 07-24-2014, 01:21 PM
RandomGemini RandomGemini is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jul 2013
Zone: 5b
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 2,436
Strange dark purple root tips on phal Female
Default

I think everyone on OB that grows phals has one. LOL! They're a really great plant it also seems like they put on a spectacular show. I've seen several pics of it with just loads and loads of blooms.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
dark, growing, phal, roots, tips, root, purple, strange


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
The S/H list ScottMcC Semi-Hydroponic Culture 44 11-16-2020 09:47 AM
Phal with only one root left - needs saving LuizaG Beginner Discussion 15 07-27-2018 08:25 AM
Spring 2013 Flask Project Sign Up and Sources Rowangreen Member Projects 92 07-14-2013 08:02 PM
VERY dehydrated phal, any tips for revival? HollyMStewart Potting & Repotting 8 01-12-2012 03:11 PM
Phal root help/general advice bagoly14 Beginner Discussion 11 02-03-2010 06:54 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:41 AM.

© 2007 OrchidBoard.com
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.37 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.

Clubs vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.