Aerial roots a bit dark on my phal?
 

Hi there,

I've noticed that one of the aerial roots on my phal has some brown marks on it, does this mean it's getting too dry? i water my phals about every ten days at the moment, the temps in the room are about 58c and the humidity is about 48% should i mist the roots? the ones in the pot look fine.

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/t...3022010920.jpg
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/t...3022010930.jpg

Everything looks pretty good to me. Humidity is a little low but if your plant is doing well, I wouldn't worry. Aerial roots will dry out somewhat no matter what, unless you're in the jungle, and misting won't do much at all, except tire out your hand. Good luck.

Kim

I'd wet that root sticking out of the pot thoroughly, and gently try and guide it onto the surface of the bark. You can dig the tip of the root into the bark. That way, when the new tips grow, you can slowly train the root into the pot.

The brown mark may be iron deposite. I don't know where in the UK you are but arround here there is a high concentration in the water. I get brown deposites arround the sink and shower and have to clean it off all the time.

I think it affects the arial roots more than the ones in the medium (it seems to on mine) because they dry out more and it crystalises more on them.

On mine it doesn't seem to do any harm. When I water I try and make sure the arial roots get a good drench as well, but otherwise just let them stay as they are.