Aerial roots.

[Georg Luiz Barth]

I have grown some orchids with relative success, but I am not satisfied with the dryness of the Phalaenops aerial roots. The roots growing inside the pot are well developed and almost all are drinking directly from the nutrient solution stored at the bottom of the pot. The aerial roots develop well until about 5 cm and then begin to dry from the tips, even nebulizing water every day. I have a serious problem of low humidity in my growing environment, which fluctuates between 35 and 45% and the temperature in the summer can vary from 28 to 34 degrees Celsius.... I know that the ideal would be to provide at least 70% of humidity to the environment. But using the semi hydroponic system, watering by fully flooding the pot from top to bottom every other day with a 25ppmN nutrient solution, flushing with tap water once a month and spraying water over aerial root every day.... my orchids still grow and bloom relatively well...but how long in these humid conditions? Would it be possible to continue to maintain good blooms and healthy growth of phalaenopsis with only good roots in the pot?

[estación seca]

Would it be possible to continue to maintain good blooms and healthy growth of phalaenopsis with only good roots in the pot?

Yes. What you describe is common in Phals. Aerial roots die off in lower humidity. Phals seem to grow and flower fine with a good roots only in the pot, and no aerial roots.

[Georg Luiz Barth]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Yes. What you describe is common in Phals. Aerial roots die off in lower humidity. Phals seem to grow and flower fine with a good roots only in the pot, and no aerial roots.

Glad to hear that, as I was beginning to worry too much about this matter. Although I know that the ideal is to correct the problem.

[Georg Luiz Barth]

Occasionally I dip the aerial root into a small plastic test tube filled with water, fitted with a "little hook" attached to the s/h pot. It's amazing how she reacts...in a few hours the root turns green and plump. I got to leave the root soaked in water for two days....it became greener and plumper still...beautiful anyway. I didn't leave it any longer, because I was afraid of killing it....but nothing much happened, after another two days it was more or less dry, just like the other aerial roots in my collection.

[estación seca]

If Phal roots are exposed to air they can stay wet. This is how they grow in nature. In addition, people here have reported frequent day-long soaks for Phals and Vandas without problems.

[Louis_W]

What I do is wet the aerial roots down and gently hook them inside the lip of the pot so they go into the media. I have no problem with aerial roots going everywhere but I figure they do much more good that way.

[Georg Luiz Barth]

Originally Posted by Louis_W

What I do is wet the aerial roots down and gently hook them inside the lip of the pot so they go into the media. I have no problem with aerial roots going everywhere but I figure they do much more good that way.

Yes Louis... good idea.