Content
- Orchids with aerial roots - tips on function and care
- Lifeline and natural Haltestrick at the same time
- Maintain air roots properly - that's what matters
- Please never cut off healthy air roots
- Use aerial roots on the upper stem for propagation - That's how it works
- Tips
The aerial roots are of great importance to the orchid
Orchids with aerial roots - tips on function and care
In addition to the unique flower, aerial roots are the most prominent feature of orchids. Sometimes they grow out of the pot criss-cross or, surprisingly, appear in the upper stem area. You can read about the function of aerial roots on orchids here. Benefit from our tips for proper care.
Lifeline and natural Haltestrick at the same time
In orchid physiology, aerial roots perform multiple tasks. The countless epiphytic species serve to fix them high up in the crowns of giant primeval forest giants. So that the Aufsitzerpflanzen do not lose the footing on the branches, they cling to a part of their roots. The other part of their aerial roots catches the rain to transmit moisture and nutrients to the leaves and flowers.
Maintain air roots properly - that's what matters
An orchid with juicy, silvery-green aerial roots is doing well. To keep it that way, please pay attention to the following care program:
For air roots to be able to optimally fulfill their function as a supply line, they need access to light. Always place an epiphytic orchid in a transparent culture pot. Use a planter if it is at least twice as large and has a pedestal inside for the clear pot.
Please never cut off healthy air roots
If countless aerial roots protrude beyond the edge of the pot, please do not cut them off. With many aerial roots, the orchid signals the desire for a larger culture pot. Please spice the plant before or after the next flowering period in a larger vessel with fresh orchid soil. If the root system is free of substrate, you can remove dead aerial roots with a sharp, clean knife. The healthy root strands make a dipping bath nice and smooth to use with a twisting motion in the new pot.
Use aerial roots on the upper stem for propagation - That's how it works
One of the special qualities of the popular Phalaenopsis orchid is that it surprises us with aerial roots in the upper stem area. Where actually flowers should unfold, the root strands protrude. These are offshoots that you can use for propagation. If 2 to 3 small aerial roots and some leaves have formed, cut off the child and put it in a small pot.
Tips
A few orchids can do without aerial roots. These are Erdorchideen, which prefer a place on the safe ground. The Vanilla planifolia is the only crop in the orchid kingdom, as well as shrubs and other indigenous species. Erdorchideen prefer a loosely-humus-rich substrate that is enriched with perlite, lava granules or small bark pieces.