New orchid- What do I do with these roots

[Marzer]

Hello all:

I just purchased my first orchids, but noticed that some of the air roots sticking out of the plant were cracked. All the sheathing around the center was broken, and some/ of then are browning. My camera couldn't get great detail, but this is essentially what I am talking about:





So should I prune them or let them be? If I prune them, do I do it all at once, or over time so I don't shock the plant?

Thanks for the advice!

[Mike Di Tota]

I would not prune any roots that are white or green these roots are alive. Pruning alive roots can really affect the health of the plant. If the roots turn brown these roots are dead and o.k. to prune. Healthy Roots= Happy Plants

[Marzer]

Hmm it seems my post was deleted. I tried to edit it to add more pictures but it seems the board didn't like that.

Anyways, thanks for the advice. I know I'm not supposed to cut the air roots, but some of the roots look damaged. I know it's hard to tell from the picture, but some of the outer roots are destroyed all the way around. It is kept intact by the middle of the root, but the outside of the root seems damaged. I'm worried that these broken roots are a negative for the plant. Is it possible they will repair themselves?

I'll post more pictures once I have the ability to post without having to wait for moderator approval. Thanks again

[Marzer]

2 more pictures showing the breakage (the areas that are not smooth on the closest air root). Those are areas where the protecting sheath has been destroyed, and it is brown in this outer layer.

[Cjcorner]

As long as your roots aren't squishy they should be okay. I don't trim roots usually unless I am repotting. Also; alot of the air roots will wither and dry when a plant is in the home. That doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem. As long as the roots within the potting medium remain healthy all should be fine.

[cakedaddy]

As long as your roots aren't squishy they should be okay. I don't trim roots usually unless I am repotting. Also; alot of the air roots will wither and dry when a plant is in the home. That doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem. As long as the roots within the potting medium remain healthy all should be fine.

I agree...I was about to post the same thing. For a freshly broken aerial root, I would apply something to deter any bacteria, IMHO.

[Joyday]

Hi! It looks to me that you put the plant in new bark, without discarding the old medium-sphag, is that right?If it is the case, you should repot again, becouse you need to remove all the old sphag, and then you can repot in fresh bark. Sorry if it isn`t the case, but it looks like it from your pictures.

[Marzer]

Hi! It looks to me that you put the plant in new bark, without discarding the old medium-sphag, is that right?If it is the case, you should repot again, becouse you need to remove all the old sphag, and then you can repot in fresh bark. Sorry if it isn`t the case, but it looks like it from your pictures.

Someone repotted it for me at the nursery that I bought it from. You are right though, they just took it from its container and added lava rocks to the outside. The other one I believe she just moved without adding new material. Will this be detrimental?

[Marzer]

More pictures. There are 2 orchids here, the blooms are on the plant in the yellow pot. Should I look at repotting just the one in the blue, yellow or both? Should I wait until after they have bloomed?

There is also a better picture of the root breakage in pic 3

Thanks for all the advice.

[Mike Di Tota]

You don't usually want to repot an orchid that is in bloom. After they loose their blooms you can repot them. I use a medium grade or course orchid bark. Get rid of the sphagnum moss when repoting then water well.
Posted via Mobile Device