I think that root rot is caused by different factors and situations. There could be infectious bacteria or fungi which attack the roots (which just happened to my now-dead
Paph. victoria-mariae), or it could be small parasites, or it could be edema. Sometimes, roots will die off naturally... basically I just repeated all that was said... =)
Now what about
Habenaria repens? This species is almost always found in small ponds or drainage ditches that are filled all year with water... I think this species has developed an advanced root system, similar to other non-related aquatic plants. If you take this species out of the water and plant in a nice humus mix, it will look as if it is over-watered and die within a few days. If a plant of
Habenaria repens is growing near the water and placed in a humus mix in cultivation, it will thrive.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by rsfrid
Even the Spiranthes, a terrestial which grows in muck soils, needs air "pockets" in the soil to survive.
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I have found about 8 native
Spiranthes species, including a new undescribed species, and none in situ have air pockets around the tubercles.
Spiranthes praecox,
Spiranthes sylvatica,
Spiranthes ovalis,
Spiranthes vernalis,
Spiranthes longilabris, and
Spiranthes brevilabris are usually found growing in sandy areas. The quartz sand in which they are found in are rich with silica. Very rarely will any of these species be found elsewhere than quartz sand, but I have seen them growing in pine needles, light humus, and outer edges of bogs.
Spiranthes odorata is known for growing in humus or inside the bogs. The rare
Spiranthes tuberosa is found growing in wet, sandy, limestone areas in full sun, or the south side of a road running east to west in partial sun.
I have propagated all of these species, and they grow well in cultivation. None have air pockets, most of them are growing in Florida quartz sand and added limestone.
Spiranthes odorata has to be grown in an ideal
Calopogon or
Habenaria medium, with rich humus and added charcoal. Just a little info on the genus' growing habits...
This is a very interesting subject, I haven't thought much about root rot... =)
-Pat