My orchid has roots above the soil level, normal?

[mo436]

Hello,

I received an orchid as a gift a couple of years ago, it bloomed beautifully the first year and has not bloomed since. It has grown a ton of lush green leaves and seems to have roots all over the place. I have fertilized it twice now. Are the roots above the soil level normal?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Those are normal. Check the roots within the potting medium to make sure they are healthy. The 'air' roots are usually a sign that things are not going exactly well under the potting medium.

cheers,
BD

[mo436]

Ahh, good to know, I will take it home and replant it, but I will need to bring it back to work, it seems to love my corner office windows. Are there any special tips for replanting? I know they tend to like smaller pots, anything else?

Thank you!
Michele

[panam]

What kind of orchid is it? Some types are more prone to having "air roots" than others.

I notice you say you have fertilized it twice - do you mean twice in the couple years you have had it?

Also - congratulations on keeping it going for a couple years. For a beginner, that's great! (I have sent my fair share of poor dead babies to the big compost heap in the sky.)

[mo436]

I have fertilized it probably 5-6 times in 2 years. It has never bloomed but the one time, however the stems that held the flowers now have leaves and roots growing off of them. I don't know what kind of orchid it is, it didn't come with anything that would help me identify it. I took some photos but they are too large to download on this site. I will try and reduce them from my home PC.

[Dazed]

If you check Brutal Dreamer's signature you'll find a link to how to post pics.