Root question

[Araxis33]

Hello all! I am new to this forum and orchid growing. I have questions regarding the roots of my orchid. It is shooting out new roots but they are going into the air and the orchid plant is leaning to its side. Should I try and straighten this plant out so the roots are in the bark?

[bil]

They all lean over in the end which is why it is good to pot them at the side of the pot so they lean away from the side.
Just ignore the air roots.

[Araxis33]

Excellent. Thank you bil!

[Cheddarbob14]

I would consider repotting more based off of the size of the pot it's currently in. I'm assuming there are drainage holes at the bottom, are there any on the sides? I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but pretty sure orchids in general, would prefer a little less room, vs too much room. You could run into issues with rot if the bark you have it potted in doesn't dry out fast enough. A lot of what you will learn with orchids over time is greatly affected by your growing conditions, i.e. indoors or outdoors, humidity, light, etc.. You have come to the right place for orchid knowledge, there's loads of it here.
Check out the potting/repotting thread located about 6 tabs down from the beginners thread. I'm still relatively new to orchids myself but have learned a ton in my short time here. Welcome to the orchid board!

[Araxis33]

Cheddarbob14 thanks for the reply. Yes there are drainage holes on the bottom. Are you suggesting repotting to a smaller pot? As you can see from the picture this Orchid seems to be doing quite well in this pot. I submerge it completely for 15 minutes in an oversized pot once every two weeks and it seems to be thriving quite well. I mix up some Miracle Grow orchid food and freeze it in ice cube trays. I give three to four ice cubes to the plant in between the bi-weekly waterings.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Cheddarbob14

I would consider repotting more based off of the size of the pot it's currently in. I'm assuming there are drainage holes at the bottom, are there any on the sides? I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but pretty sure orchids in general, would prefer a little less room, vs too much room. You could run into issues with rot if the bark you have it potted in doesn't dry out fast enough.

Well, as you say, it depends. I have asked countless times, but no one has been able to show how a small pot is better than one that allows the roots to spread out. With coarse bark, a 6 inch deep pot is fine, but with fine bark it pays to go more shallow. I have had excellent results with den phals in two inches of fine bark with the pots a foot in diameter.

[Dollythehun]

Well, in the tropics ice cubes, with or without fertilizer, don't fall from the sky, water would be a better choice. I agree, your pot is too large. Go to the Phalenopsis forum and read the sticky note thread "The Phal abuse stops here." However, if it's working for you, good deal.

When you ask for advise from us, you will get a lot of different opinions because everybody's conditions are different. To be courteous, please don't "yes but" us. Just sift through the advice, research, and enjoy growing. That being said: welcome! We are a pretty good bunch here.

[bil]

Dolly may be one of those tiny pot crazies, but she is spot on about the ice cubes. That has got to be the daftest trick ever with orchids.

[Cheddarbob14]

Araxis33, chances are you won't get any wrong answers in this thread. The trick is finding which is most right for you.

The 1st part of my initial response was based on a rookie mistake on my part. Too large of a lot, combined with too small of a potting medium. I've adopted something that works for me (for my orchids not in semi-hydro or full water culture), a little more snug pot, with a smaller medium.

I also am on the "pretty sure ice cubes don't melt on orchid roots in nature" train

[Dollythehun]

Originally Posted by bil

Dolly may be one of those tiny pot crazies, but she is spot on about the ice cubes. That has got to be the daftest trick ever with orchids.

Bil! I thought you to be such a gentleman. Crazies, indeed!