Monthly Status Reports - January 08

[Ross]

Mine isn't either. But the temps are colder than I originally thought (for here - not there ) 58 degrees F at night and mid 60s (F) during day right now. Think you might have another issue. Here is my regime - compare it to yours:

1 plant mounted (2 spikes) and 1 plant potted (no spikes) Clue?

Mounted plant get daily dunks with 125ppm Nitrogen MSU and potted plant gets 2-3 waterings per week with same stuff.

Mounted plant dries out totally overnight, potted plant does not.

Mounted plant gets approx 800 FCs light, potted plant less than that, unless sun shines. It's in the south window.

Anything ring a bell with you? BTW, the potted plant is growing new leaf vigorously and new roots. The mounted plant is growing roots, but no new leaf.

[shakkai]

Mmm... Well, mine came potted, but I mounted it as soon as I got it. It gets water every morning and dries out my night (see photo that I just took tonight, its dry by 10PM) it gets a complete soak once a week with specially formulated orchid food added. No idea of the exact FCs, but would guess in the 800-1000 range (south facing window, obscure (frosted) glass). You can see how much the new leaf has grown in the past month by comparing the December status photo with the one I just took tonight. Not a lot of new root growth, but some still have green growing tips... (Tonights photo isn't the best angle to see the spike - still barely more than a nubbin... not yet 1/2" long - its under the leaf on the left. The December photo has a red arrow pointing to the spike starting.)

[Ross]

Mine has whiter roots. I think your's might be too wet? Here's mine The second spike is directly behind the leftmost root so out of site. I tried and there was no easy way to get both in same image The roots of mine dry out totally overnight.

[shakkai]

Ross, I always wondered about the roots... they were that colour when it arrived. Mine is mounted on tree fern fibre which probably holds more water than your mount. But by 10 PM, the roots themselves are dry. Interestingly enough, the little white hairs that developed where the roots are touching the mount are still white. Though it hasn't grown any new root since I got it, just the existing roots growing at the tips. The roots are firm and plump, the side away from the mount is almost woody in feel, the side towards the mount is lighter and has those fine hairs in places - any idea of what would have caused the colour?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by shakkai

any idea of what would have caused the colour?

Maybe the water? Or your fertilizer? All of my orchids with exposed roots show white until I water them. Then they turn bright green over whole roots and then slowly turn back to white as the dry (or the plants sucks up the water in the velamin. Dunno.

[quiltergal]

My Sederia's existing roots are also tan/brown, and were when I bought it. It's growing 3 new ones that are white. Mine is potted in a slotted plastic pot so dries well between waterings.

[shakkai]

Yep, Ross. Same here - the rest are all nice and white and look 'normal' and turn bright green when they are wet. These ones also turn green-ish when they're wet...

Not sure what it was, then, that made this dark like this. But as they've not changed since I got the plant I can't isolate what the "root" cause was!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by shakkai

Yep, Ross. Same here - the rest are all nice and white and look 'normal' and turn bright green when they are wet. These ones also turn green-ish when they're wet...

Not sure what it was, then, that made this dark like this. But as they've not changed since I got the plant I can't isolate what the "root" cause was!

I really wouldn't worry. While none of my orchids do this (that I can see) it really doesn't mean anything until we compare water source, mineral content, fertilizer type and regime, etc. Also compare to grower. I have seen, on rare occasions, certain Angraegoides roots turn gron to black and shrivel like they are dead. Then all of a sudden they will spring out with green tip and start growing. I think we are a long way from understanding all the nuances.

[quiltergal]

Shakkai I think it's a potted vs mounted thing. If yours was originally potted I'm thinking the roots picked up tannins or something from the bark.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

Shakkai I think it's a potted vs mounted thing. If yours was originally potted I'm thinking the roots picked up tannins or something from the bark.

Actually, that's a good point. Any of the Angraecoides I've had dark roots with in the past (not many, mind you) were originally potted in bark. Maybe that's the culprit? I still wouldn't worry, as long as the roots appear functional.