Orchid roots have grown a lot: what to do

  • Mar 20, 2021

Good afternoon, my reader. Orchid is a capricious flower that requires special care. This is not only watering, but also the optimal level of light, temperature and soil moisture.

 Orchid. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com
Orchid. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com
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If the roots of the orchid "crawled" out of the pot, then the plant is missing something. A drained substrate will help correct the situation.

Root system

The plant receives moisture from the air due to the growth of aerial roots. They also support the flower on loose soil and participate in photosynthesis.

But an orchid should not have many branched shoots. This speaks of poor culture care. The optimal number of aerial roots is 3-4.

If the soil is too dense, water stagnates in the soil, air circulation inside the roots stops, and they begin to grow. Thus, the root system "protects" itself from decay.

It will not be possible to completely remove the shoots, but you can reduce their number.

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On a note! The roots will become smaller if the orchid is watered less frequently. This will prevent moisture retention in the soil.

Bad ground

Another reason for root overgrowth is an unsuitable substrate. The soil should be light, always with drainage. You can buy an earthen mixture in the store or prepare it yourself.

When choosing a soil, you should consider:

  • type of orchid;
  • pot size;
  • flowering period;
  • temperature and humidity level.
Orchid. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

Substrate components:

  • polystyrene;
  • pine bark;
  • peat;
  • expanded clay;
  • coir;
  • fern;
  • vermiculite;
  • sphagnum moss;
  • humus;
  • wood ash;
  • perlite;
  • pine cones.

The filler should be replaced if there is dense soil in the tub with the plant.

The orchid is transplanted into a pot with a mixture of bark and light soil. The bottom layer is drainage.

Before planting, the roots of the flower should be immersed in water for 30-60 minutes. This protects the roots from deformation during transplanting and also increases their flexibility.

The dried cuttings are gradually removed, which increases the health of the crop and improves its appearance over time.

Top dressing and watering

The roots of the orchid should not be poured - it is enough to moisten them a little with warm, settled water. You can use distilled liquid and tap liquid together (1: 1 ratio).

Water the plant after the soil dries up, not too often - 1 time in 7-10 days. Residual moisture should freely escape through the drainage layer of the soil.

Orchid. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

If the liquid stagnates at a cool room temperature, the roots will start to rot.

The orchid should be fed in moderation: every 2 weeks during the growing season and flowering. To do this, use 1/3 of the flower fertilizer. In the growth phase, phosphorus and nitrogen components can be mixed into the soil.

After flowering, the soil for the orchid is fertilized with potassium, nitrogenous compounds and phosphorus. It is important to keep the indoor temperature at the optimum level to ensure proper root development and formation.

The plant does not tolerate sudden temperature fluctuations.

Much also depends on the specific type of orchid. Evergreen culture is grown at temperatures from +20 to +27 ℃ in the summer season, in winter - from +15 to +17 ℃. Indicators below slow down the growth of roots, they begin to ache and rot.

Important! In winter, it is necessary to monitor the temperature on the windowsill, which may differ from room values.

It is recommended to insulate orchid pots with pallets or special materials that keep warm.

Tub selection

Usually, plastic pots are used to grow crops. It is convenient and practical. But clay containers are more durable, have an attractive appearance, and are perfectly permeable to moisture and air.

Suitable for cold temperature tolerant varieties.

Do you know what to do if the roots of the orchid are overgrown?

Original articleand many other materials, you can find on ourwebsite.

About transplanting flowers in the fall, read the following article: Autumn flower transplant