Orchid Air roots

[Eclipse557]

I saved this orchid from the cold last winter. The air roots are hard and dry. There's no sign of new air roots forming. It has grown 2 new leaves. What should I do for the air roots? Should I let them be?

[78Terp]

Do the air roots turn green when they get wet? The light coming in from the window behind your phal makes it hard to see the roots well. They look ok to me from what I can see. I always try to wet all roots visible when I water.

[ksriramkumar]

Yes. you can leave the air roots as is and concur with Harvey, mist and water the air roots. Phal looks alright to me.

[Carolla]

I always leave the air roots and try to water them too. You could encourage it to put out new roots, if you are concerned about them, by using a kelp based treatment. I've had great luck with Kelp Max for instance.

[Eclipse557]

The roots are hard and dry! They're a siver green color.
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[78Terp]

Do they change color when they get wet. From the silvery color to green?

If so, they are working.

[Carolla]

At first you may have to soak them in the sink for a while to get them to start absorbing water (that's if they really are ok). I do find some of mind won't absorb water if I just run it over them, but if they soak for 10 mins or so, they green up and take it in.

[Eclipse557]

I wet the them in the sink! They turned a darker green. They're not a silvery green anymore. Maybe I should just water them daily or weekly with a spay bottle?
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[78Terp]

That is good. Turning green means that are alive a doing their job.

I will mist exposed roots anytime they look dry. But don't overdo it and open the door to fungus. Watering orchids is an art, I've decided. It is learning when to water without being late or too early. But overwatering, IMO, is worse than underwatering. It is best to discover that sweet spot right between and try to maintain it.

[sciencegal]

It depends on the humidity in your growing area, too. If I buy a phal with lots of air roots they eventually disappear. It's just too dry in the house most of the year to keep them going. Even spraying them daily doesn't help much.