Tricholglottis Brachiata Roots...

[mmorehead]

I just have a quick question in regard to my Trichoglottis Brachiata. I have been giving her plenty of water daily, use weak fertilizer once weekly, and have also been spritzing (Vanda style) the roots heavily every morning and evening since they seem to dry quickly.

I noticed when I came home a little while ago that an entire section of air roots at the bottom had fallen off completely! Upon inspecting them further, I noticed that the detached roots were very dry but not quite brittle. Am I not watering enough? Or is this the normal process?

It may be a completely silly question, but I've only had her for a few weeks now, and want to make sure that she's okay. Thanks for all your help in advance. It is greatly appreciated!!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

That's not normal.

Pics?

And how're you growing them?

[mmorehead]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

That's not normal.

Pics?

And how're you growing them?

Thanks for your reply, King!

It is in a wooden hanging basket with a little sphagnum. It hangs from a tree in my backyard during the day, which receives at least seven hours of full sun, and then I bring it in at night. I live in zone 6a. I water her fully in the morning and give the roots a heavy spritzing. Then in the evening, I water and spritz again since the media dries out considerably quick. I have only been spritzing with weak fertilizer once weekly.

I will post a pic tomorrow for you to view since my camera is acting up this evening... sorry about that. And I greatly appreciate your help, King. I just hope this doesn't turn into a bigger issue. I absolutely adore this plant!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you have before and after pics that'd be cool.

I wanna know what's up with this plant before I say anything.

Maybe others can help out as well when they start seeing pics.

[mmorehead]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

If you have before and after pics that'd be cool.

I wanna know what's up with this plant before I say anything.

Maybe others can help out as well when they start seeing pics.

Hey King,
My profuse apologies for not having had the chance to post some pictures. My modem died a few days ago... just waiting on the new one from Verizon... should be here Monday.

Upon further investigation, I realized that I had a brain fart... it was my Vanda that had lost a section of roots, not my Trichoglottis Brachiata. They were really small roots that look like they fell off from the middle section. I can see where some of the smaller ones still attached are drying up, too. Is this cause for concern? Am I not watering enough?

And I do still have a question about the Trichoglottis Brachiata. One of the roots growing from the bottom of the plant is healthy to an extent, but halfway down it's drying up. This is why I was confused to start with since they hand in the same tree. I will post pictures for you Monday when I get my new modem. And thank you for taking the time to help me figure out what's going on. I most certainly appreciate it, sir! I'll let you know when I post the pics, and I'll also put up some pics of my Vanda, too. Thanks again!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Well, that's obviously not normal for a Vanda either.

But as for the Trichoglottis brachiata, I suspect that to happen for one of two possible reasons.

1. Your media is going bad and needs to be changed out.

2. Over fertilization/excess salt build up. Salts can collect on media, especially if you're using water high in mineral content. Evidence for this is salt residue on the media. It's the equivalent of letting a sweaty t-shirt dry out and seeing the salty residue.

FYI, there is a meter that detects the mineral content in your water. Hardcore Disaphiles have this to make sure the mineral content in their water is very low.

This is just off what I'm reading, though. A picture will help immensely.