Healthy roots are firm, mostly white, silvery in phalaenopsis and brown in paphiopcdilurns. Dead roots are soft, they may be wet or dry, and the outer covering is easily removed leaving the inner core exposed. Healthy roots can be damaged by pests or accidentally broken. Broken root tips will heal themselves and after a short time will recommence to grow from above the broken end.
The life span of a root can be one season only in orchids whose pseudobulhs arc of annual duration or the roots may live for several years, their life span related to the state of the pseudobulbs they are supporting. When leaves are eventually shed, that pseudobulb has no further use for roots, and they will die naturally.
On dormant roots the growing tip ceases and is completely covered by the velamen. These roots will recommence to grow at the start of the next growing season. Roots can be killed when a plant is being persisently overwatered, or is left standing in water.
Monopodial orchids which grow tall, such as vandal, produce aerial roots from along the rhizome, from a node on the opposite side of a leaf. Here only one root is made and this will extend, rarely branching, for a considerable length. Usually one or two roots will be made each year.
An extremely attractive method of growing and displaying these little plants is on a tree branch especially cut for the purpose. It will last many years before finally rotting.Roots can be prevented from growing by inappropriate compost, or severe dryness at the wrong time.
A small group of orchids consist merely of a small crown from which bursts a mass of tangled roots. These species, among them the genus Microcoelia, have roots which produce chlorophyll.
The life span of a root can be one season only in orchids whose pseudobulhs arc of annual duration or the roots may live for several years, their life span related to the state of the pseudobulbs they are supporting. When leaves are eventually shed, that pseudobulb has no further use for roots, and they will die naturally.
On dormant roots the growing tip ceases and is completely covered by the velamen. These roots will recommence to grow at the start of the next growing season. Roots can be killed when a plant is being persisently overwatered, or is left standing in water.
Monopodial orchids which grow tall, such as vandal, produce aerial roots from along the rhizome, from a node on the opposite side of a leaf. Here only one root is made and this will extend, rarely branching, for a considerable length. Usually one or two roots will be made each year.
An extremely attractive method of growing and displaying these little plants is on a tree branch especially cut for the purpose. It will last many years before finally rotting.Roots can be prevented from growing by inappropriate compost, or severe dryness at the wrong time.
A small group of orchids consist merely of a small crown from which bursts a mass of tangled roots. These species, among them the genus Microcoelia, have roots which produce chlorophyll.
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