Orchid Roots
Orchid roots are the most important part of the plant, because the strength of the roots is going to determine how bountiful your blooms are going to be. Orchids are known as either fine-rooted or thick-rooted depending upon the type it is. An example of a fine-rooted orchid is a Oncidium, while the popular Phalaenopsis is thick-rooted.
You should trim the roots of your orchid whenever you repot it. You can just use your hands to remove any old planting mixture that might be intertwined. You will easily be able to tell the difference between the brown, dead roots or even the mushy ones and the nice, green healthy ones. Be sure to cut off all dead and rotting roots. The goal is to have air circulating continually around the roots. This will enable the orchid to have more flowers and longer lasting ones. Always repack the pot with fresh new planting media.
When you think about orchid roots, consider outdoor orchids. No outdoor orchid grows out of the ground in the way that a regular flower or vegetable plant does. In the rain forest for example, orchids are found growing along trees with their roots attached to the tree bark. Some orchids grow as lithophytes along rocks, while others spread out along the ground. But even these ground-dwellers have roots that run along the ground and not into it.
All of these outside orchids receive water from rain but none of them have roots that reach into the water and draw it up into the plant. The roots of the orchid soak up rain water that is passing by and a skin-like covering on the roots allows them to store water for when it is dry. The roots get very dry and shrivel up but will do it all again the next time there is rain. High humidity in a tropical environment can give moisture to orchid roots but the roots are never in water.
That is why so many orchids die from being over-watered. Many people think that they should water their orchids once a week like they do most of their other plants, but this, for an orchid is very unhealthy. That’s because orchid roots do not drink up the water. Just like the outside orchids they have little hairs on their roots which take in the water they need when they are dry and thirsty. But any water that is not immediately absorbed by the plant is not going to be absorbed.
This water t is going to sit in the planting medium and make the plant unable to get the oxygen it needs. Then the roots will rot and the orchid will get sick and die. Plants do dry out at different rates, but basically what your orchid roots need are one day of a little liquid water and then 20-29 days of humidity without watering. By then the roots will be dry again and they can use a little more water. This is something to think about in winter. In the heat of summer an orchid needs to be watered more often but still try to not overdo it.
The kind of pot and potting mixture you use is going to help determine how fast your particular orchid dries out. Sphagnum moss retains a lot of moisture while bark only holds a little. That is why fir bark is a good choice for many orchids. The planting medium should have lost all of its liquid water and most of its absorbed water before the roots should be watered again. The example that is often given of lifting your orchid to see how heavy it is really works. Then lift an empty pot filled with just planting medium. If it is time to water your orchid, the weights will be similar. If your orchid is heavier, wait. And, remember that it is better to give your orchid’s roots too little water than too much.
