The flowering orchids are easy to care for and robust plants. The only thing to pay attention to is healthy orchid roots. Regular repotting and removing rotten areas keep the plants fit and ensure blooms. We explain in which cases you should cut off the roots completely and in which cases you should leave them alone.
When repotting, check the orchid roots for signs of disease and care errors
They are beautiful exotics with delicate flowers: The orchids have crept into the hearts of hobby gardeners and now adorn every second windowsill. They not only score points with their long flowering period, but also with their easy care. The only thing to watch out for are the root balls. The plant is usually repotted every two years. A sure sign that the exotic needs new substrate and a larger pot are the many aerial roots. The orchid usually roots through the orchid soil first. When the underground roots can no longer develop, they begin to form the so-called aerial roots. So if you notice that:
- the orchid produces significantly fewer leaves than last year
- the flowering period is shorter or fails completely
- the plantlots of aerial rootshas formed in the last few months
then you should repot the exotic and possibly rejuvenate it by cutting the roots.
Brown, yellow and green roots – which ones are healthy and which ones need to be cut off?
Depending on the color of the roots, different cutting measures are possible. Proceed as follows:
1. Remove the orchid and its substrate from the pot. Loosen the roots from the substrate.
2. Look at the root balls - if you notice brown roots, then the plant has been watered too much or you haven't thrown away the excess water in the base pot. Rot has occurred. The same applies if the roots are mushy.
3. Roots with brown spots are also a sign of a care error. Most of the time it is due to fertilization. You either didn't use the right fertilizer or over-fertilized the orchid.
4. Root strands that are white, white-yellow or light green are healthy. Do not cut them or shorten them! The orchid absorbs water and nutrients through the air and needs all healthy roots.
5. The same applies to the aerial roots: if they are healthy, they should stay. Even if the orchid has formed a lot of very long aerial roots last year: if they are healthy, they should not be cut off or shortened.
6. Gray, dry roots are a sign that the orchid has been watered too little or incorrectly. The roots dry out and can no longer absorb water. In many cases, the plant still looks healthy because the healthy aerial roots have compensated for the deficiencies.
Also read:Lots of aerial roots, no flowers? This is how orchids bloom again!
Shortening the orchid roots: instructions
If you have noticed any rotten or dry spots on the roots, you should cut them off when repotting. Proceed as follows: Leave the orchid in the old substrate for a few days longer without a dip so that the roots can dry out. This makes cutting much easier. You need the following accessories:
- clean and sharp scissors
- a spray bottle
- Disinfectant made from 1 liter of water and 1 ml hydrogen peroxide. Mix the two together and pour the solution into the spray bottle.
First, disinfect the work surface. Remove the orchid from the pot, loosen the roots from the substrate and place them on the work surface. First, remove any dry, wilted or diseased shoots. Leave the healthy shoots standing. If some roots have rotten spots, you can cut them off too. You do not need to shorten healthy aerial roots. Spray the interfaces with the disinfectant and let them dry on the work surface for a quarter of an hour. In the meantime, discard the old substrate, wash the pot thoroughly and disinfect it. Then wash your hands, take the new pot, fill it halfway with substrate and place the root balls in the pot. Then cover the roots with the rest of the orchid soil.
In which cases should you plant aerial roots?
If the orchid has very few or no underground roots after cutting, then you can plant some of the aerial roots. Simply lower them into the substrate. They will quickly root and continue to grow underground. Even if the orchid has too many aerial roots, you can plant some. Then you should use an appropriately large container, because aerial roots also need space.
In order for the orchid to continue to grow and produce flowers after repotting, it is very importantAvoid care mistakes.
