Odontocidium root pictures
 

Hello everyone!:waving

Ok, so this is my odontocidium's new roots! There is tons of root growth (all of the old one were rotten when I purchased it at the beginning of Feb. 08 )
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...s/DSC02187.JPG
My only concern is the fact that the roots seem a bit brown, and the first three roots that started to grow have stopped, and show signs that they will branch out again.

I don't know if I am over or underwatering it. Could this happen to roots if they don't get enough water?

Also, I have been letting this orchid dry or close to dry in between waterings, so I can't understand how I could overwater it...:scratchhead: ugghhh this is very annoying!! I can only keep phals roots alive! oh and phaphs:)

Anyone who grows this type of oncidium type orchid, healthy roots are the white coloured roots (like the ends of some of my roots) right?

Thanks!!:)

Personally, I think your roots look great. The roots on phals are so obviously healthy/not healthy because they're all fat and green and things. My brassia had waaaaay different roots, so I was always a bit confused with that one. The roots on this orchid look fat and healthy to me, but I would wait to see what one of the experts thinks just to be sure!! I think they tend to get a light brown coloring from the medium. The really really white color when they first come out usually only stays on the ones that aren't in potting medium in the ones I have. The rest don't maintain their "virgin whites." Hee hee. My passion love goddess thingie had a couple white but mostly light brown when I repotted. Not super dark brown or black--that's not good.

Here are some dead roots on a mini I killed once as an example:

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...20&ppuser=2024

ya they look quite good to me too, dun forget 'brown' doesnt mean rot, brown and mushy is. brown colours sometime occur b/c the roots stain, haha. u know, itz like putting a white tshirt on the floor and giving the floor a few wipes, haha

haha true. I was just concerned because some of the older ones stopped growing after they were a few cm long... whatever, I will just keep the same watering schedul and see what happens]

haha Blondie- I guess their vigin white colour is hard to keep... once its gone.. their never gonna get it back ;)

I have 1 brassia, 3 oncidiums, and 2 quad oncidium hybrids. I let all of mine get close to completely dry. My brassia roots look very similiar to your roots, except they are longer(I'm sure yours will grow). I would keep up your schedule and consider using clear pots, as they allow you to see the roots without disturbing the plant. I personally feel the clear pots help with root growth, but I'm probably wrong.

Giggles :rofl:

Short roots like that can indicate that the plant is having a hard time sending them through the medium, suggesting that it's either too fine, or too dense. Obviously I can't tell from the photo, but it's something to consider.

I think you're right. I remember reading somewhere (I don't remember where exactly) that some orchids actually have photosynthetic roots. I thought that was really interesting, and definately worth noting.

I am planning on buying clear orchid pots soon! I purchased a phal in a clear pot, and it is easy to see if the roots are healthy :)