2023-05-03 04:01:36
The roots of your orchid are starting to grow outside the pot? No worries ! Your plant is healthy. But that means it’s time to repot it… So dear budding gardeners, let’s get started!
Why are my orchid’s roots sticking out of the pot?
Roots of the orchid outside the pot. Source: spm
By dint of seeing orchids grown in pots, we forget that they are epiphytic plants. That is, they can grow on trees or rocks, no problem. They have aerial roots that capture moisture from the air. Note, however, that not all orchids are epiphytes.
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Orchids have two types of roots. Aerial roots, and roots that grow in the ground, like all plants. Aerial roots help the orchid absorb moisture and nutrients from the air.
If you’re wondering how aerial roots absorb nutrients, take a closer look. You will notice that they are thick and covered with a spongy layer made up of dead cells, which is called velamen. This layer acts like a thin skin that helps the orchid absorb water and nitrogen, while keeping it attached to the bark of the tree it is growing on.
Epiphytic orchids. Source: spm
Epiphytic orchids need moisture to survive. If your home does not have the same humidity as their natural habitat, the aerial roots will come out of the pot, searching for the water vapor in the air. You may not know it, but you should know that orchids are tropical plants and need humidity and heat.
If the roots are sticking out of the pot, it might also mean that your plant is getting taller and therefore its pot is starting to get tight.
What should I do if my orchid has a lot of aerial roots that overflow the pot?
If so, don’t worry, a simple repotting is enough.
Remove the orchid from its pot
Before repotting your orchid, you can soak the pot in cool, but not cold, water for 30 minutes. This will soften the growing medium of the orchid and loosen it, to easily pull the roots out of the potting mix. Remove the jar from the water and strain it to remove excess water.
Check what color are the roots of the orchid
Before repotting your plant, check its roots. If they are still green or white, your plant is healthy. It is also advisable to grow orchids in a transparent pot to be able to check the appearance of its roots if necessary.
Cut the brown or dead aerial roots of the orchid
If you notice that the roots of the orchid are soft, gray or brown in color, it means that they are rotten. Cut them with clean, disinfected pruning shears to prevent healthy roots from becoming infected.
Repot the orchid
Repot an orchid. Source: spm
Here’s how to repot your plant.
- Take a transparent pot, slightly larger than the starting pot to allow the roots to catch the light of day. Orchids need light to grow better. Make sure the pot has drainage holes to allow water to drain away. As you know, stagnant water can cause your orchid’s roots to rot. You have been warned!
- Choose a special orchid compost, or a mixture of bark. This ensures good drainage and creates air pockets to aerate the roots of the orchids and prevent rot. You can fill the pot with a shallow layer of small stones or pebbles, to aid drainage;
- After removing the rotten roots, place your orchid in its new pot. Avoid bending or compressing its roots. Also be careful not to cut the overhanging roots if they are still healthy. Do not forget that it is through its roots that the orchid feeds;
- To avoid shock following repotting, place your orchid in a cool place that allows good air circulation, and avoid watering it for several days;
- Resume orchid care when you see signs of new growth on your plant. This is manifested by the appearance of a new aerial root or a new leaf.
Orchid phalaenopsis. Source : spm
According Melissa Strauss, gardening expert, overwatering can cause orchid roots to rot. Your plant may well die if you do not intervene quickly. Inspect the roots. If they are all rotten, and on top of that your plant is losing its foliage, it may be too late to save the plant. If your orchid still has healthy roots or roots that have started to turn dark but haven’t turned mushy yet, that means there’s still room to save the plant. Here’s how you can do it.
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- Start by extracting the orchid from its pot but don’t forget to remove the soil that is on the roots;
- Cut off diseased roots and apply a fungicide such as powdered sulfur to the cuts;
- Lay your orchid on a paper towel or clean cloth and let the roots dry;
- Once the roots have dried out, repot your plant in fresh potting soil. The choice of soil is important. You can use a compost composed of charcoal or bark. When repotting your plant, be careful not to use a pot that contains traces of fungus or rot. Choose a clean pot, or use an earthenware one. It is best suited for orchids. That’s it, this way your orchid can be saved and live once more…
Orchids are easy to care for. To take care of your flowering plant and make it last a long time, here are the steps to take.
- Expose your orchid to bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch its foliage. You can place your plant on a window sill facing east or west;
- If the air in your home is dry, spray the foliage and not the flowers of your orchid, 2 to 3 days a week. You can also choose to place your pot on a damp gravel tray;
- Before watering your orchid, lift the pot to weigh it. Water only if the pot is light. For this, you can soak the pot of the orchid in a basin of water;
- Let the pot drain. Choose non-calcareous water, such as rainwater;
- Fertilize your plant with orchid food from spring to fall.
You will understand, dear readers, the roots that come out of the pot of your orchid should not worry you. Simply repot your plant! With proper maintenance, your orchid will continue to flourish and provide you with beautiful, colorful and fragrant blooms.
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