The orchid can rightfully be called the queen of home flowers. There is hardly a florist who does not have this elegant and vibrant plant in his collection. However, it is not always possible to keep the flower graceful. Over time, the orchid develops a large number of roots, which gradually begin to crawl out of the pot. Grayish shoots of a strange shape spoil the appearance and make you think about the state of the plant itself. It becomes impossible not to pay attention to the problem of phalaenopsis.
Of course, the structure of an orchid assumes the presence of aerial roots and the full existence of a flower is impossible without them. With their help, the plant receives moisture from the air and participates in the process of photosynthesis. Nondescript shoots are necessary even for domestic flowers, which do not need to cling to trees, as it happens in nature.
Despite this, the number of aerial roots in the orchid is limited. A healthy flower has no more than 3-4 gray-green shoots, moderately growing along the near-stem circle of the flower. The appearance of a large number of roots crawling out of the pot in all directions is already an anomaly. The flower needs help.
Why roots grow
The gradual increase in the number of aerial roots indicates that the orchid lacks air. The plant simply begins to get out of an unsuitable substrate for life. This is most often due to the density of the soil and excessive moisture. If you do not pay attention to the problem for a long time, the flower will begin to rot. In this case, you will have to forget about aesthetics and decorativeness. The orchid will need to be urgently saved.
In order not to bring the plant to a deplorable state, you need to respond to the growth of aerial roots as quickly as possible.
How to help orchids
Reducing watering will only help solve the problem if the orchid is growing in a suitable lightweight substrate. For this, the flower must initially be properly planted. In all other cases, the plant will have to be transplanted.
The transplant should be done in a clear, well-drained pot. As a substrate, you must use a special soil for orchids. You can purchase it at a gardening store.
Before transplanting, the aerial roots must be soaked in warm, but not hot water for 45 minutes. This will make them more flexible.
If rotting or dead roots are noticed during the procedure, they should be removed immediately with a sharp knife. Sections then need to be powdered with crushed activated carbon.
After transplanting into a suitable pot and soil, the aerial roots will gradually die off. There will be no more need for them. The orchid will have a healthy and attractive appearance.
Read also on my website -Where does the green bloom come from in a pot with an orchid and what to do with it
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