Root Training (Part 2)

[Shoreguy]

Previously in February 2018 in a thread entitled “Root Training” I described a method of training recalcitrant neofinetia roots to change their direction in order to enter the bark medium for those growing in bark as I do.

That method is somewhat tricky and does require experience to become proficient at it and does not always have a successful outcome.

What is described here is a way that that method can sometimes be avoided.

As the root is creeping along the top surface toward the edge of the pot, you know what it most likely is going to do, creep over the edge.

That chance can sometimes be avoided by using a toothpick to brush aside some of the medium between the tip and the edge. This can frequently encourage the tip to angle downward into the void created.

Top picture a few days after bottom.

[DirtyCoconuts]

if i may ask, why would one do this? is it for aesthetics or have something to do with humidity?

i am only curious as i am only used to growing vanda types with lots of air roots

i am new to the neos and mine has air roots but i thought that was normal

[Shoreguy]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

if i may ask, why would one do this? is it for aesthetics or have something to do with humidity?

i am only curious as i am only used to growing vanda types with lots of air roots

i am new to the neos and mine has air roots but i thought that was normal

Many reasons to do this:

It is beneficial to the neof as it has a more limited root system and you are directing it to find what it really wants.

Also aesthetics is involved. And less danger to the root if the plant is moved. If you have a large collection of neos close together and allowed the roots free range eventually you would have an unmanageable mass.

[DirtyCoconuts]

make a lot of sense.. thanks


are their roots particularly brittle? Wet tropical vanda roots are really pliable and you could just point them down into the media...I assume you could not just soak this guy for ten minutes and then thread the roots all down into the medium?

[Shoreguy]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

make a lot of sense.. thanks


are their roots particularly brittle? Wet tropical vanda roots are really pliable and you could just point them down into the media...I assume you could not just soak this guy for ten minutes and then thread the roots all down into the medium?

Be sure to read my thread posted in Feb 2018 entitled “Root Training” as it will more than answer your question. Use the search bar / advanced or simply scroll.

[Clawhammer]

I cover the root with a little pile of bark and put a rock on top. Works about 75% of the time. I will add your trick into my playbook, thanks!

---------- Post added at 12:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:23 PM ----------

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

if i may ask, why would one do this? is it for aesthetics or have something to do with humidity?

My logic, and I could be wrong: I do this because I figure the root will be more effective for the plant in the media rather than outside the media and it has to be a stronger plant the more separate roots it has going into the media.