Dried Out Aerial Roots - Orchid Board

lindad3406 · #1 01-20-2008, 06:37 PM

What do I need to do to keep aerial roots and the roots on the surface of media from drying out or is this normal. My Phals are all budding and flowering, but I don't like to see these roots dry. Any suggestion?

Dorothy · #2 01-20-2008, 08:32 PM

Mist them in the mornings and/or early afternoon

mayres · #3 01-20-2008, 11:29 PM

You will need to raise the humidity level around your plants. Trays with rocks/water will give you about 10% additional. To get more than that you would need a room small enough to be potentially raised by a humidifier. If you mist, don't do it late in the day. I've noted that aerials that form in YOUR growing environment tend to do better than what is already formed from a greenhouse environment and then come out of that to a much drier one.

Neverend · #4 01-21-2008, 07:38 AM

Use a wetter medium like sphagnum moss, but do take care not to keep your plants too wet!

Bird Song Farm · #5 01-21-2008, 08:10 AM

Since I tend to over water I have changed all my Phals over to sphag. Much easier to judge when to water and the aerial roots are doing much better. Better growth with the plants too.
Al

Ely · #6 01-21-2008, 11:31 AM

Humidity is always a plus! just spritz them with a misting bottle in the morning and afternoon; and at noon if you can.

lindad3406 · #7 01-21-2008, 12:59 PM

Thanks all, for your input. My grow room is has 4 doors leading into it, so my humidifier is not cutting it. I have thought of setting up a bedroom with grow lights in it. I think I could control humidity better. Yes, I am thinking about 100% spag. I live in North Central Texas where humidity is usually low. Even my Catts have shriveled pseudobulbs. The only down side I see is, I like to go by them several times a day and look at them on my way outside or to the kitchen.