I can’t thank you enough for this excellent & informative video. I received my little ‘grocery store’ orchid as a recovery gift after having surgery. The bloom was so beautiful but I had no idea what to do with it other than the instructions to ‘add 2 ice cubes once a week’. When these little ‘tendrils’ started growing out of the pot I immediately assumed they were roots & it needed repotting. While repotting I realized that these ‘upgrowing’ roots would not willingly go into the pot so I did the google search & found your video. What an eye opener! Now my Phalaenopsis orchid is happily in it’s orchid bark mix with it’s aerial roots out in the air! My orchid is forever grateful! Lol! ☀️
Glad you brought this up! I have one phal that literally appears to be climbing out of the pot with aerial roots. I accidentally knocked it over one day and all of the media fell out, so I had to repot it. There are less roots in the pot, although some, but the aerial roots are everywhere! It looks happy and healthy, so I leave it as is.
I think aerial roots add to the beauty of an orchid plant. Anyway living in a home environment with not that much humidity, it would be great to have so many roots. Thanks for the informative videos. Cheers👍🥳🇨🇭
I just got my first phal a couple of months ago. It's still blooming and has grown a new leaf and air roots are coming out of the pot. This video was so helpful! I have it on a tray of gravel and it seems to be very happy. I love mine and want to learn to grow it and vanilla orchids!
Finally someone that loves aerial roots as much as I ! air roots just fascinate me. I love letting my orchids grow into large clumps and seeing them climb out the pots. But everyone in my local garden club right away suggests I divide and repot the plants. I grow them outdoors here in south florida.
I have many aerial roots on my three orchids. I use to have more orchids until I re-potted them, burying the roots. By leaving the root system alone these ones are doing beautifully. I'm new to the orchid world. My husband and I love them. I'm trying to figure out what the best planting medium would be and that would disturb them the least.Thank you for your very informative videos.
Brad, I cannot read all previous comments, so sorry if I someone has already said this: I think aerial root try to compensate for the lack or decrease of nutrients from the medium when it becomes old. I'm not an expert but I'd say that in a few years the plant will start to suffer and evenually die should it depend only on aerial roots (unless you spray the roots with the correct amount of nutrients from time to time).
AT last I decided to check on line what I should do with the massive aerial roots on my Phalaenopsis, I repotted this present around 2 years ago it is still flowering since east that is into its 6th month I have counted at least 40 blooms, so beautiful and still in flower with buds there are 4 flower spikes. After watching your video I realise (I knew the plant was happy) that I should try and suspend this orchid from the ceiling, let the blooms and the roots hand down. Thank you for your advice. Great information and advice thank you Sandra N
I first saw them in the wild growing on trees the first time I went to South America, and then one morning at the hotel I saw the gardner spraying the orchids that they bound on trees there. Coming from cold weather and only being able to grow them in the house he told me to water them once a week with luke warm water. Preferably just hold them under the tap and let the water drip out well. Once they are done blooming put them in a light place and water once every one or two weeks depending on how dry it is. I have all my orchids blooming more than once a year and haven't lost any since.
I saw a grower maybe in Coastal California or Florida who grew in a greenhouse and shade house. His method was to repot into a slightly bigger clay pot. Actually he didn't repot he only placed the whole plant and pot inside of the bigger pot. Some of his plants were inside of 3 or 4 pots. He didn't use any media in the next pot. The pot was the media. I'm sure his shelves were pretty overloaded with weight but it worked for him. Some of his plants were 25-30 years old.
I've been thinking about the same thing as far as wanting to let my orchids grow as naturally as possible. Yes, and I love aerial roots and how natural the look is. Can this be mimicked by planting on fern tree slabs or pots or cork bark? If someone has just a few orchids they could even go so far as hanging the orchid in a shower stall and spray it with an orchid fertilizer or even worm castings tea to try and copy nature for supplying nutrients. Just some ideas. Have really enjoyed this discussion.
I love aerial roots, because I started gravitating to Vandas and Honohonos...I started hanging most of my orchids to let aerial roots grow and they love it. Also started using clay balls instead of wood chips or other substrate which disintegrate. IMO, I would put those plants into a wooden basket complete with the plastic pot, secure them with some and let them grow.
love orchid roots, slowly changing as many as I can to medium-free pots and wooden baskets just letting the roots swing freely with the breeze. of course it means watering almost every day.
When I boil potatoes or pasta or any vegetables I save the water and when it's cold give it to my houseplants and they are all looking very healthy. My orchid is in it's third flowering stage over two years and with lots of vigorous aerial roots. I'm soon to repot it slightly bigger and will give it it's own table. It has a stem of half a dozen new flower buds.
Thank you - very helpful. I was going to try to plant some roots, I still may but your help realizing that the roots are good in their aerial state is changing my mind!
I believe that if they grow, they’re there for a good reason. They adapt to their living environment, so I believe they should stay. I just got a cutting of what I think is a Disocactus Ackermanni that has aerial roots on it and have been in the fence about whether or not I should remove them before rooting them. I’m thinking they will benefit the process of rooting them because if you think about it, I’m sure in the wild pieces of the plant get knocked off by an animal or whatever and still have the aerial roots. The propagation process is still successful. Sometimes I wonder if they produce a healthier plant. Thanks for the video man. I’m going to continue my research on the most successful way to propitiate this cutting I have. Happy growing!
Hello, Brad. Hope all is well. I agree with and support 100% of what you said. I feel that aerial roots are a very important part of the orchids that produce them. Removing them is like removing part of their life blood.
I couldn’t agree more! I love the roots that live in the air, I know my plants are good when those suckers grow outside the pots and have green tips and grow long & juicy. LOL I’d NEVER cut those off!
Hi, Brad. I think it's an absolute sin to cut aerial roots. I mean, if and probably when the roots in the pot rot or break or whatever, you will always have the aerial roots to continue growing your orchid or else you end up w/a rootless orchid.😟 I'm like you, I just love aerial roots, I think they're beautiful and sort of majestic in some way. Happy growing, Brad!😇
I have just started growing orchids and have found your site a great wealth of information. I like the idea of trying for a more natural mounting in hanging "pots". Will try some experimentation myself. Thank you.
I also love the aerial roots. I think of them as insurance roots. just like you say: if I screw up and the roots in the pot die, there's still a whole healthy system of roots. I have actually had pretty good success potting them up as short term care. If all the other roots die, I repot them into a very loose, very chunky media and water them very sparingly. basically I keep in mind what they are used to, and I try to get them more water without radically surprising them. It keeps the plant going while it grows more roots. Some of the aerial roots die, but I've been really surprised at how many survive. Nonetheless, I find a few dead roots in the pot are a fine trade for helping the plant get re-established with less stress. (I grow my orchids on the drier side, so this hasn't caused a big rot problem for me). If the plant is healthy, I keep them out of the media when I repot: it's like saving for a rainy day ;)
Agree with every your word. Those roots show the result of being happy in your care and so good green house. Congratulations and wishes of future happiness in your great job.
Brads Greenhouse & Gardening excellent video! I have over 600 orchids and in fall started mounting on cork bark, I also got a 10 by 16 greenhouse in April and orchids are my retirement hobby. I have found for me mounted are easier to care for and have mounted close to 100 and have seen a vast improvement in growth. I have several large and mature cattleyas and will leave most of them in orchiata but have mounted a couple of the biggies! Enjoy your videos as well as Roger Frampton! I will remain a viewer of both and would like to see more on mounting! I learned and enjoyed Astrids mounting videos but now she has turned out of favor for mounting! I hope to end up with 300 or so of various orchids mounted!
I just love mounted orchids too - and agree, it's about as close as we can get to a natural looking plant. This year, I have noticed much better growth on my cattleya types (plus others) that are mounted and I believe this is for several reasons: 1) they dry out fast with the fans blowing the air around, 2) drying out means they get watered/fed more often with no damage to the roots, 3) no more repotting - it's almost impossible to repot those types of orchids without some root damage and some 'set-back' time even if it's done at the right time, 4) at least in my environment, they also get the most light as they hang from the roof, 5) they DONT FALL OVER cos they are so top-heavy in plastic pots! Mounted plants take up more time but I retire in two weeks time - I will have that time. I'm mounting many more of my plants as they get to the repotting period of their growth cycles. Just love those ariel roots and the way they attach to the bark and even grow around the back of the bark. Great vid as always. I have a couple of those ever more popular 'mini-phals' and, yep, they're going on the bark as soon as I get time.
Brad, this is the video that answers SEVERAL QUESTIONS I have had for years. Again, I thank you for sharing your expertise and experience. (March 26, 2016)
I've never had any rotten arial roots when I stuffed them into a pot. but on the other hand, I don't use moss or anything that holds water in my pots. only bark, pebbles and LECA.
I have the same experience you explain and I use hydroton clay pellets for medium. Roots don't break down because the clay pellets don't break down or hold much water.
Awesome discussion Brad - thanks - you got me thinking about how I repot my orchids I think I see a little change in my future. I have noticed that some of the orchids that I repotted and put the aerial roots down in the new media did rot and the plant suffered for that. so like I said I see a little change in the way I repot in the future
I have just one orchid that has the Ariel roots the other two don’t seem to have as many , possibly they are different types of orchids or the location of them on the lanai!
Almost a decade later, thanks for this video. I took on an orchid from someone that was going to throw it away but it’s still green, and leaves still growing, so I KNEW it wasn’t dead by far! BUT she will NOT bloom again. I was using the ice cube method, and I have transitioned to a more free flow pot method for water. But it still will not bloom. I too, tucked the aerial roots because I just assumed they were supposed to be in soil! I will be removing them today to see if the plant like that better. Hoping for the best.
I would be interested to hear your opinion on orchids growing in semi-hydroponics, as that media would not be subject to breaking down. Do you grow any that way and if so, how do they compare to your orchids that are potted in more traditional media?
I realize that this is an old video but very informative. I only wish that my orchids had air roots half as nice as those. Some of my orchids have a few short air roots but nothing like I see on some orchids. It may be that my environment is too dry for at least half of the year. I am hoping that using a humidifier near the plants during the winter will help.
Thank you for the video. this is something I have been thinking about for a long time. I myself have been leaning to basket culture. that way my orchids have what I call a forever home. and the roots can grow and breath.
I think your greatest contribution here was to adjust my perceptions of "ideal beauty" when it comes to certain types of orchids! Am wondering though - would you recommend occasional misting with a light fertilizer mixture on the aerial roots?
Good topic. I recently got a Vanda that was in a way too small plastic basket and the roots were all over the place. All I did was take a wire hanger (for hanging pots) and hung the basket with no sort of media in the basket. It was out all summer direct sun til noon, even after bringing it in for the winter it still gets a 1/3 day of sun and it's blooming away. I think when it's time to repot my other orchids, I'll do the same thing - either on a piece of bark or in a basket with no media...
I absolutely agree with yuo, aireal roots are meant to be in air! I really enjoyed ur discussion! very informative again. please do more of these sessions , thanks for sharing ur ideas! I love phals hanging! I wish I had more space to hang them somewhere suitable in my house, besides unless they're grown im moss, you can't hang!
Hi Brad, Thank you for this enlightening lesson on air roots. I’ve had my orchid for 12 years and it’s growing out of the pot (dead media wood chips) toward the window (sunlight) with lots and lots of air roots also overflowing out of the pot toward the sunshine. There are about 5-7 very green healthy leaves, growing down as I’d put Of a tree, like you mentioned at the end! Question : Could I repot my orchid in a glass vase with only water at the bottom? Thanks so much !
Interesting analogy with the skin. Of course I see the difference. I guess the size is for the junk makes a big difference, as in general good Orchid media contains big junkes, because the smaller the quicker the decomposition
No - I would leave the roots - I would just make sure they have something other than plastic to cling to - how about coconut fibre lining which could be bigger than the pot hence hang outside and give the roots somewhere to go. Your videos are great - I am an Orchid rookie, and have learnt heaps from watching you. But I do like to give them a 'natural' growing space. Val from Australia
I appreciated the reassurance in this video, thank you, but have a question related to it. While the roots have been spreading out of the pot of a wonderful orchid that has flourished for about 15 years on our window sill, the main stem has been weighed down so that it is growing out to the side and we are going to run out of space - is there anything that can be done to help the orchid to grow upwards rather than to the side?
When I repot my Phalaenopsis, I let them soak water before, the carefully put the lower areal roots into the pot, using medium to large sized bark, then do not water, just spray for some days, then water them, but letting the medium become allmost dry before wTering again, and haven't had the experiencing of dying areal roots. Maybe the have to slowly adapt to the media, if you pot them?
Great video, and I agree with everything you said. Love the aerial roots, it's like a totally separate life form :) but connected. Love the way they go in and out of the media, it's also fascinating.
+Brads Greenhouse Yes, right? ... Also one note, I couldn't decide to repot a mini oncidium that I have in plastic or a clay vented pot that I have... after re-watching this video, it helped me decide to use clay... Especially these little ones seem to be climbing up and up. We'll see where they go. Thanks! --Tammy
I had an employee in my office who was the plant person of the office. She had a few orchids and thought the aerial roots were the stalks that new blooms would come out of....she even pinned them up on plastic stakes. I just played ignorant and said wow, awesome, I can't wait. hahaha
One thing I have noticed is that sometimes will one arial root dig it self down in orchid medium by itself, sometimes in the same pot or in a pot nearby
Hi Brad. I am a new subscriber. Sorry for this silly question but how do you water the aerial roots? I am just learning about Orchids because I am trying to save my mother's., given to her by my niece. The aerial roots are dry and silver colored. I am determined to save this orchid.
I often vaporize (super-fine spray) the leaves and the aerial roots. I see the change of color on the roots, going from grey, greyish-green/greyish brown to dark &/or bright green. I just bought a new orchid in full flower. Is it a good idea, after flowering is over, to unpot the plant and expose the aerial roots that are inside the pot? This new orchid has its aerials of the color green and some are going yellow. And they are definitely aerials.
What happens if the arial roots break due to transportation but they are still hanging on? I have an orchid that has 2 arial roots that broke in 3 different areas but the root is hanging on. What should I do?
Hi everyone, I have a phal and a long aerial root accidentally broke off. I’ve been trying to see what happens if I planted the broken end in another pot. Well I’m sure I sound very childish but I want to know if there’s any possibility something can be done with an aerial root. I don’t want to discard it. I want to give it a chance to live if possible.
Thank you for the video I also love the aerial roots on my orchids. I would like to know what you recommend if one of the aerial Roots becomes damaged. I have had several break. Sometimes the brake kills the route from the break to the end and sometimes it doesn't seem to bother the root. Is there a recommended best practice for treating aerial roots with breaks?
Thanks for the video! I have one small orchid that I have been doting over for years. I have a single long aerial root growing out of the small pot the parent plant is in. I am terrified to re-pot the parent plant. Can I guide the aerial root into growing in a nearby pot to assist in creating a "new" plant? Or is this a horrible idea and I should leave it be?
I have mine bare rooted in clear vases. Air roots that don't grow in to it are forced to go into the vase. The only thing i have found is that i can not keep them watered enough this way because my home is very dry and misting isn't very helpful but they are doing much better for me then in a pot.
I loved the video and have a question. You were talking about your phalaenopis and how they would naturally hang with the leaves downward. I want mine out of pots, I have them outside as I live in Ft. Myers Florida. I have seen Vandas with the roots in a basket and growing down and letting the flowers grow down. Can I do this with mine instead of staking up the flowers just let them grow. I stumbled onto your site looking for an answer. I think I am going to try it. Thanks.
What do think of growing orchids in water culture? I have been doing it with my moth orchids (phals). They are growing new roots/leaves and aerial roots too. Seem to be happy and healthy..
I had been told to put ice cubes around the base of the main orchid plant, they were not flowering until I started making ice cubes from rain water. Now in January and February, my orchid is reflowering and beautiful! Do you ever use ice cubes? I'm in Houston so flowers in January are amazing
No ice cubes, it’s a sales gimmick. The like lukewarm or room temp water. Your plant was probably happy to get some more moisture, so that’s fine if you continue with only water that’s the approximate temp as your plant. The extreme temperature changes from ice cubes will only hasten your orchid ‘s demise. 🌱
Brad, thanks. May I ask, because I use my orchids as home decoration am I able to trim back the roots so they just look a bit neater? Also, if the roots dry out a bit (I live in quite a dry environment most of the year) should you mist them? If they go black and die can I trim them? Thanks and regards.
I loop them back up to the plant when they get long enough that I can do it without breaking them (I don't stick them back in the media). Otherwise I tend to break them when watering if they're too long.. Some phals just have crazy aerial roots!
I've only had orchids a year, but they are doing great so far, and are putting out lovely jade green aerial roots. I've been wondering what I should do with them, and now I know to just leave and enjoy them. I do have a question for you, if you happen to see my message.. Last week, I accidentally broke off one of the bulbs from my plant. I have put it back in and tamped the moss around it to hold it in place. Wondering if it will re root this way? I'd like to save it if at all possible.
Bring on the aerial roots! Im rehab-bing some phals with no roots using the bag-and-sphag technique and the first roots they threw out were air ones. They always are the healthiest looking roots on the plant.
I grew up in Asia, and my mom loves plants. All of her orchids are just attached to the different trees that are surrounding our backyard. She just tie them around the tree, and then for some time, the orchid will naturally just attached its self. She doesn't water them. The rain does.
You are so awesome! I think I told you one time before that I love arial roots too!! I watch you all of the time. I have close to 100 orchids and I love it. I have only been doing it for 6 going on 7 months( and I live in Florida) so basically it's grow season all of the time he! Keep up the good video but you also could add when it's bloom time for each orchid your talking about that day. Thanks Lisa P.
Hi Brad, nice video on the aerial roots, i love them too. i have a couple of orchids on which they grow like crazy... but that's due to some medium problem i'm having... anyway, i have a question on broken aerial roots, there seems to be a small thread inside the root keeping everything together. is the humidity soaked up by the second segment still going to contribute to the overall nourishing of the plant?
Have you ever tried the pot in a pot method? It requires no media, you put your over growing Catt, or other orchid in a slightly larger pot, and once it grows over that pot you put it in another slightly larger pot, on and on. It becomes a network of roots over pots and pots. The old media eventually breaks down and washes away and the acidity doesn't even really affect the plant since most of it is growing outside the pot. I would want to try this out but it works a lot better in a greenhouse where there is higher humidity. There was a discussion on my orchid forums: gardenweb (now by houzz) you should check out. I think it would be perfect for you to give a try if you haven't! You'll get no broken down media, and lots of those lovely aerial roots!
Thanks so much for your information about leaving orchid roots outside the pot. I have put off replanting one of my large pals because all it’s roots are on the outside due to the fact that the stem in the pot has broken off, leaving the orchid sort of hanging off the side, but apparently doing quite well. Now, I’m wondering if I should just remove it from the pot completely and find something else for it to rest on. What do you recommend?
Have you considered epiweb ore hygrolon? (there are some other names/brands too) it is made from plastic so will not decay. Have only tried epiweb myself indoors and I did not like it so much in a dry environment but will try again in my exoterra.
Hi Brad, I am just looking at your video and I noticed your phal is wet all over. Are you not concerned about water getting into the crown on the plant? I have heard so much about about crown rot and stem rot.
I am a novice to orchids pretty much. I know they don't want their roots in the soil. Recently I found how to make Kokedama Ball planters. Pinterest shows orchids in them. My roommate tried one and put her roots in the ball. It died within two weeks. That was in May. We then proceeded to put the orchid, (mini dendrobiums I think), on top of the moss ball exposing the roots, We are in St Paul, MN. During the summer this was fine. Now, however, with the air dryer, the roots seem to die quickly and the blooms droopy. Is there s solution? Other than greenhouse conditions? I'm sure humidity is the key. Please search for how to make Kokedama Ball Planters and let me know your thoughts or suggestions.
Answered my question perfectly! I do need to transplant my orchids, but now I know to leave the aerial roots out, as they are now! Thank you!!
I can’t thank you enough for this excellent & informative video. I received my little ‘grocery store’ orchid as a recovery gift after having surgery. The bloom was so beautiful but I had no idea what to do with it other than the instructions to ‘add 2 ice cubes once a week’. When these little ‘tendrils’ started growing out of the pot I immediately assumed they were roots & it needed repotting. While repotting I realized that these ‘upgrowing’ roots would not willingly go into the pot so I did the google search & found your video. What an eye opener! Now my Phalaenopsis orchid is happily in it’s orchid bark mix with it’s aerial roots out in the air! My orchid is forever grateful! Lol! ☀️
Same!! I panicked and thought I had to repot immediately and cover the lovely babies!! So happy I found this video🥰
Glad you brought this up! I have one phal that literally appears to be climbing out of the pot with aerial roots. I accidentally knocked it over one day and all of the media fell out, so I had to repot it. There are less roots in the pot, although some, but the aerial roots are everywhere! It looks happy and healthy, so I leave it as is.
+JustUs I think I would do the same
I think aerial roots add to the beauty of an orchid plant. Anyway living in a home environment with not that much humidity, it would be great to have so many roots.
Thanks for the informative videos.
Cheers👍🥳🇨🇭
I just got my first phal a couple of months ago. It's still blooming and has grown a new leaf and air roots are coming out of the pot. This video was so helpful! I have it on a tray of gravel and it seems to be very happy. I love mine and want to learn to grow it and vanilla orchids!
Great vid! My orchids look like your samples, so I'll let my areals grow. Your love for orchids shows!
I adore aerial roots!! They give the orchid a natural (as possible) look.
Finally someone that loves aerial roots as much as I ! air roots just fascinate me. I love letting my orchids grow into large clumps and seeing them climb out the pots. But everyone in my local garden club right away suggests I divide and repot the plants. I grow them outdoors here in south florida.
+Joey Auguste I agree 😊
I have many aerial roots on my three orchids. I use to have more orchids until I re-potted them, burying the roots. By leaving the root system alone these ones are doing beautifully. I'm new to the orchid world. My husband and I love them. I'm trying to figure out what the best planting medium would be and that would disturb them the least.Thank you for your very informative videos.
Loved your talk. Very helpful from a plant lover to a plant lover.
Brad, I cannot read all previous comments, so sorry if I someone has already said this: I think aerial root try to compensate for the lack or decrease of nutrients from the medium when it becomes old. I'm not an expert but I'd say that in a few years the plant will start to suffer and evenually die should it depend only on aerial roots (unless you spray the roots with the correct amount of nutrients from time to time).
AT last I decided to check on line what I should do with the massive aerial roots on my Phalaenopsis, I repotted this present around 2 years ago it is still flowering since east that is into its 6th month I have counted at least 40 blooms, so beautiful and still in flower with buds there are 4 flower spikes. After watching your video I realise (I knew the plant was happy) that I should try and suspend this orchid from the ceiling, let the blooms and the roots hand down. Thank you for your advice. Great information and advice thank you Sandra N
I first saw them in the wild growing on trees the first time I went to South America, and then one morning at the hotel I saw the gardner spraying the orchids that they bound on trees there. Coming from cold weather and only being able to grow them in the house he told me to water them once a week with luke warm water. Preferably just hold them under the tap and let the water drip out well. Once they are done blooming put them in a light place and water once every one or two weeks depending on how dry it is. I have all my orchids blooming more than once a year and haven't lost any since.
I totally agree, half the beauty of growing orchids is watching the air roots grow
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I saw a grower maybe in Coastal California or Florida who grew in a greenhouse and shade house. His method was to repot into a slightly bigger clay pot. Actually he didn't repot he only placed the whole plant and pot inside of the bigger pot. Some of his plants were inside of 3 or 4 pots. He didn't use any media in the next pot. The pot was the media. I'm sure his shelves were pretty overloaded with weight but it worked for him. Some of his plants were 25-30 years old.
+Jim Braun cool, that is interesting. I couldn't deal with all of the weight
I've been thinking about the same thing as far as wanting to let my orchids grow as naturally as possible. Yes, and I love aerial roots and how natural the look is. Can this be mimicked by planting on fern tree slabs or pots or cork bark? If someone has just a few orchids they could even go so far as hanging the orchid in a shower stall and spray it with an orchid fertilizer or even worm castings tea to try and copy nature for supplying nutrients. Just some ideas. Have really enjoyed this discussion.
I love aerial roots, because I started gravitating to Vandas and Honohonos...I started hanging most of my orchids to let aerial roots grow and they love it. Also started using clay balls instead of wood chips or other substrate which disintegrate.
IMO, I would put those plants into a wooden basket complete with the plastic pot, secure them with some and let them grow.
Hi Brad, always wondered what to do with aerial roots......they seem so normal, I agree with you absolutely!!
love orchid roots, slowly changing as many as I can to medium-free pots and wooden baskets just letting the roots swing freely with the breeze. of course it means watering almost every day.
Totally agree! I love the aerial roots I find them so pretty when they are plump and green with those beautiful light green tips :)
When I boil potatoes or pasta or any vegetables I save the water and when it's cold give it to my houseplants and they are all looking very healthy. My orchid is in it's third flowering stage over two years and with lots of vigorous aerial roots.
I'm soon to repot it slightly bigger and will give it it's own table. It has a stem of half a dozen new flower buds.
Wow! So informative and helpful! I was going to try and repot 4, 12" long air roots! Not anymore! Thank YOU 🌱
Thank you - very helpful. I was going to try to plant some roots, I still may but your help realizing that the roots are good in their aerial state is changing my mind!
+Susan Davis Your Welcome! Happy to Help 😊
I believe that if they grow, they’re there for a good reason. They adapt to their living environment, so I believe they should stay. I just got a cutting of what I think is a Disocactus Ackermanni that has aerial roots on it and have been in the fence about whether or not I should remove them before rooting them. I’m thinking they will benefit the process of rooting them because if you think about it, I’m sure in the wild pieces of the plant get knocked off by an animal or whatever and still have the aerial roots. The propagation process is still successful. Sometimes I wonder if they produce a healthier plant. Thanks for the video man. I’m going to continue my research on the most successful way to propitiate this cutting I have. Happy growing!
Hello, Brad. Hope all is well. I agree with and support 100% of what you said. I feel that aerial roots are a very important part of the orchids that produce them. Removing them is like removing part of their life blood.
I couldn’t agree more! I love the roots that live in the air, I know my plants are good when those suckers grow outside the pots and have green tips and grow long & juicy. LOL I’d NEVER cut those off!
Hi, Brad. I think it's an absolute sin to cut aerial roots. I mean, if and probably when the roots in the pot rot or break or whatever, you will always have the aerial roots to continue growing your orchid or else you end up w/a rootless orchid.😟 I'm like you, I just love aerial roots, I think they're beautiful and sort of majestic in some way. Happy growing, Brad!😇
I have just started growing orchids and have found your site a great wealth of information. I like the idea of trying for a more natural mounting in hanging "pots". Will try some experimentation myself. Thank you.
I also love the aerial roots. I think of them as insurance roots. just like you say: if I screw up and the roots in the pot die, there's still a whole healthy system of roots. I have actually had pretty good success potting them up as short term care. If all the other roots die, I repot them into a very loose, very chunky media and water them very sparingly. basically I keep in mind what they are used to, and I try to get them more water without radically surprising them. It keeps the plant going while it grows more roots. Some of the aerial roots die, but I've been really surprised at how many survive. Nonetheless, I find a few dead roots in the pot are a fine trade for helping the plant get re-established with less stress. (I grow my orchids on the drier side, so this hasn't caused a big rot problem for me). If the plant is healthy, I keep them out of the media when I repot: it's like saving for a rainy day ;)
Agree with every your word. Those roots show the result of being happy in your care and so good green house. Congratulations and wishes of future happiness in your great job.
+TheVictoriasworld thank you
Brads Greenhouse & Gardening excellent video! I have over 600 orchids and in fall started mounting on cork bark, I also got a 10 by 16 greenhouse in April and orchids are my retirement hobby. I have found for me mounted are easier to care for and have mounted close to 100 and have seen a vast improvement in growth. I have several large and mature cattleyas and will leave most of them in orchiata but have mounted a couple of the biggies! Enjoy your videos as well as Roger Frampton! I will remain a viewer of both and would like to see more on mounting! I learned and enjoyed Astrids mounting videos but now she has turned out of favor for mounting! I hope to end up with 300 or so of various orchids mounted!
I just love mounted orchids too - and agree, it's about as close as we can get to a natural looking plant. This year, I have noticed much better growth on my cattleya types (plus others) that are mounted and I believe this is for several reasons: 1) they dry out fast with the fans blowing the air around, 2) drying out means they get watered/fed more often with no damage to the roots, 3) no more repotting - it's almost impossible to repot those types of orchids without some root damage and some 'set-back' time even if it's done at the right time, 4) at least in my environment, they also get the most light as they hang from the roof, 5) they DONT FALL OVER cos they are so top-heavy in plastic pots! Mounted plants take up more time but I retire in two weeks time - I will have that time. I'm mounting many more of my plants as they get to the repotting period of their growth cycles. Just love those ariel roots and the way they attach to the bark and even grow around the back of the bark. Great vid as always. I have a couple of those ever more popular 'mini-phals' and, yep, they're going on the bark as soon as I get time.
+Roger Frampton I agree with everything you said and congrats on retiring!
Brad, this is the video that answers SEVERAL QUESTIONS I have had for years. Again, I thank you for sharing your expertise and experience. (March 26, 2016)
+Lee S. Your welcome Lee, thanks for watxhing.
I've never had any rotten arial roots when I stuffed them into a pot. but on the other hand, I don't use moss or anything that holds water in my pots. only bark, pebbles and LECA.
I have the same experience you explain and I use hydroton clay pellets for medium. Roots don't break down because the clay pellets don't break down or hold much water.
Awesome discussion Brad - thanks - you got me thinking about how I repot my orchids I think I see a little change in my future. I have noticed that some of the orchids that I repotted and put the aerial roots down in the new media did rot and the plant suffered for that. so like I said I see a little change in the way I repot in the future
+Tamara Previtali cool, Keep us posted on your ideas
I have just one orchid that has the Ariel roots the other two don’t seem to have as many , possibly they are different types of orchids or the location of them on the lanai!
Almost a decade later, thanks for this video. I took on an orchid from someone that was going to throw it away but it’s still green, and leaves still growing, so I KNEW it wasn’t dead by far! BUT she will NOT bloom again. I was using the ice cube method, and I have transitioned to a more free flow pot method for water. But it still will not bloom. I too, tucked the aerial roots because I just assumed they were supposed to be in soil! I will be removing them today to see if the plant like that better. Hoping for the best.
I love the aerial roots. Natural part of the plant.
I would be interested to hear your opinion on orchids growing in semi-hydroponics, as that media would not be subject to breaking down. Do you grow any that way and if so, how do they compare to your orchids that are potted in more traditional media?
I've watched many videos on this topic and yours is the most informative. Thank you, Brad!
Brad. I love orchid roots!! I have about 70 orchids. My husband bought me a 8 x10 foot greenhouse. I spend a lot of hours in that greenhouse. Lisa
Quick question, if the air roots are drying out, is that a sign of having too much water?
I realize that this is an old video but very informative. I only wish that my orchids had air roots half as nice as those. Some of my orchids have a few short air roots but nothing like I see on some orchids. It may be that my environment is too dry for at least half of the year. I am hoping that using a humidifier near the plants during the winter will help.
Thank you for the video. this is something I have been thinking about for a long time. I myself have been leaning to basket culture. that way my orchids have what I call a forever home. and the roots can grow and breath.
+johnnysmartin64 yes, I like the idea of baskets as well
I think your greatest contribution here was to adjust my perceptions of "ideal beauty" when it comes to certain types of orchids! Am wondering though - would you recommend occasional misting with a light fertilizer mixture on the aerial roots?
Perfect answer for aerial roots. It will save the plant if the roots in pot die/rot.
Whats the plastic piece holding the root or crown under the orchid?
@@floridagirl386 both
I LOVE the Aireal roots - especially on my Phalenopsis
Good topic. I recently got a Vanda that was in a way too small plastic basket and the roots were all over the place. All I did was take a wire hanger (for hanging pots) and hung the basket with no sort of media in the basket. It was out all summer direct sun til noon, even after bringing it in for the winter it still gets a 1/3 day of sun and it's blooming away. I think when it's time to repot my other orchids, I'll do the same thing - either on a piece of bark or in a basket with no media...
I absolutely agree with yuo, aireal roots are meant to be in air! I really enjoyed ur discussion! very informative again. please do more of these sessions , thanks for sharing ur ideas! I love phals hanging! I wish I had more space to hang them somewhere suitable in my house, besides unless they're grown im moss, you can't hang!
+MaryG Orchids thanks and I will do more discussions
Hi Brad, Thank you for this enlightening lesson on air roots. I’ve had my orchid for 12 years and it’s growing out of the pot (dead media wood chips) toward the window (sunlight) with lots and lots of air roots also overflowing out of the pot toward the sunshine. There are about 5-7 very green healthy leaves, growing down as I’d put Of a tree, like you mentioned at the end!
Question : Could I repot my orchid in a glass vase with only water at the bottom?
Thanks so much !
beautiful orchids love the roots im so inspired
Interesting analogy with the skin. Of course I see the difference. I guess the size is for the junk makes a big difference, as in general good Orchid media contains big junkes, because the smaller the quicker the decomposition
No - I would leave the roots - I would just make sure they have something other than plastic to cling to - how about coconut fibre lining which could be bigger than the pot hence hang outside and give the roots somewhere to go. Your videos are great - I am an Orchid rookie, and have learnt heaps from watching you. But I do like to give them a 'natural' growing space.
Val from Australia
Brad, I think this is one of the best videos you have made. Very informative and instructional. Great job.
I let all aerial roots grow as they wish. Like you said...theyre a sign of a healthy plant.
I appreciated the reassurance in this video, thank you, but have a question related to it. While the roots have been spreading out of the pot of a wonderful orchid that has flourished for about 15 years on our window sill, the main stem has been weighed down so that it is growing out to the side and we are going to run out of space - is there anything that can be done to help the orchid to grow upwards rather than to the side?
I love aerial roots. They are beautiful. Did you know that even some ferns have aerial roots? I bought one last week.
Thank you! I just watched a video by another youtuber detailing how to bury the roots in the medium, and that just didn’t seem right, to me.
When I repot my Phalaenopsis, I let them soak water before, the carefully put the lower areal roots into the pot, using medium to large sized bark, then do not water, just spray for some days, then water them, but letting the medium become allmost dry before wTering again, and haven't had the experiencing of dying areal roots. Maybe the have to slowly adapt to the media, if you pot them?
I really want to plant my orchid on a piece of bark like you do. Do you have a video on how to plant an orchid like that?
I pot my phals in hydroton clay pellets and don't have the problem with the medium breaking down. Mine also produce really nice air roots.
Great video, and I agree with everything you said. Love the aerial roots, it's like a totally separate life form :) but connected. Love the way they go in and out of the media, it's also fascinating.
+mysticshining totally!
+Brads Greenhouse Yes, right? ... Also one note, I couldn't decide to repot a mini oncidium that I have in plastic or a clay vented pot that I have... after re-watching this video, it helped me decide to use clay... Especially these little ones seem to be climbing up and up. We'll see where they go. Thanks! --Tammy
I can't wait for my Phal to have as nice aerial roots as yours!!! Gorgeous!!
I had an employee in my office who was the plant person of the office. She had a few orchids and thought the aerial roots were the stalks that new blooms would come out of....she even pinned them up on plastic stakes. I just played ignorant and said wow, awesome, I can't wait. hahaha
oh MY haha
I absolutely LOVE aerial roots!!! great discussion, makes a lot of sense!!
One thing I have noticed is that sometimes will one arial root dig it self down in orchid medium by itself, sometimes in the same pot or in a pot nearby
Hi Brad. I am a new subscriber. Sorry for this silly question but how do you water the aerial roots? I am just learning about Orchids because I am trying to save my mother's., given to her by my niece. The aerial roots are dry and silver colored. I am determined to save this orchid.
Great info. Thank you sir
I often vaporize (super-fine spray) the leaves and the aerial roots. I see the change of color on the roots, going from grey, greyish-green/greyish brown to dark &/or bright green.
I just bought a new orchid in full flower. Is it a good idea, after flowering is over, to unpot the plant and expose the aerial roots that are inside the pot? This new orchid has its aerials of the color green and some are going yellow. And they are definitely aerials.
What happens if the arial roots break due to transportation but they are still hanging on? I have an orchid that has 2 arial roots that broke in 3 different areas but the root is hanging on. What should I do?
Hi everyone, I have a phal and a long aerial root accidentally broke off. I’ve been trying to see what happens if I planted the broken end in another pot. Well I’m sure I sound very childish but I want to know if there’s any possibility something can be done with an aerial root. I don’t want to discard it. I want to give it a chance to live if possible.
i AGREE WITH you completely, fantastic video, as usual. always love to see what you post next. i learn something every time. thank you.
Thank you for the video I also love the aerial roots on my orchids. I would like to know what you recommend if one of the aerial Roots becomes damaged. I have had several break. Sometimes the brake kills the route from the break to the end and sometimes it doesn't seem to bother the root. Is there a recommended best practice for treating aerial roots with breaks?
I agree with what you said in this video Brad and I have a question: How do you save or repot a phal that is only left with aerial roots?
+fifi fifi well in that case you may have to put some in the media or a stake in the media beside the plant and tie it to the stake.
The roots is beautiful i love them mine is not too many like yours can i spray them with water.
Thanks for the video! I have one small orchid that I have been doting over for years. I have a single long aerial root growing out of the small pot the parent plant is in. I am terrified to re-pot the parent plant. Can I guide the aerial root into growing in a nearby pot to assist in creating a "new" plant? Or is this a horrible idea and I should leave it be?
Sherri Lapeyrouse I’m wondering the very same thing! How funny! Hopefully someone has some hints : )
I have mine bare rooted in clear vases. Air roots that don't grow in to it are forced to go into the vase. The only thing i have found is that i can not keep them watered enough this way because my home is very dry and misting isn't very helpful but they are doing much better for me then in a pot.
I loved the video and have a question. You were talking about your phalaenopis and how they would naturally hang with the leaves downward. I want mine out of pots, I have them outside as I live in Ft. Myers Florida. I have seen Vandas with the roots in a basket and growing down and letting the flowers grow down. Can I do this with mine instead of staking up the flowers just let them grow. I stumbled onto your site looking for an answer. I think I am going to try it. Thanks.
What do think of growing orchids in water culture? I have been doing it with my moth orchids (phals). They are growing new roots/leaves and aerial roots too. Seem to be happy and healthy..
Wow lovely plants ... Send some for me
I had been told to put ice cubes around the base of the main orchid plant, they were not flowering until I started making ice cubes from rain water. Now in January and February, my orchid is reflowering and beautiful! Do you ever use ice cubes? I'm in Houston so flowers in January are amazing
No please don’t do that, I made a new video on this topic, stay tuned next week.
No ice cubes, it’s a sales gimmick. The like lukewarm or room temp water. Your plant was probably happy to get some more moisture, so that’s fine if you continue with only water that’s the approximate temp as your plant. The extreme temperature changes from ice cubes will only hasten your orchid ‘s demise. 🌱
Great info in this video! Thank you.
I love my aerial roots, too. I think they're beautiful.
Brad, thanks. May I ask, because I use my orchids as home decoration am I able to trim back the roots so they just look a bit neater? Also, if the roots dry out a bit (I live in quite a dry environment most of the year) should you mist them? If they go black and die can I trim them? Thanks and regards.
I loop them back up to the plant when they get long enough that I can do it without breaking them (I don't stick them back in the media). Otherwise I tend to break them when watering if they're too long.. Some phals just have crazy aerial roots!
+Malfeena that is a good way to do it as well!
Excellent information. Thank you.
Thanks!
I've only had orchids a year, but they are doing great so far, and are putting out lovely jade green aerial roots. I've been wondering what I should do with them, and now I know to just leave and enjoy them.
I do have a question for you, if you happen to see my message.. Last week, I accidentally broke off one of the bulbs from my plant. I have put it back in and tamped the moss around it to hold it in place. Wondering if it will re root this way? I'd like to save it if at all possible.
Bring on the aerial roots! Im rehab-bing some phals with no roots using the bag-and-sphag technique and the first roots they threw out were air ones. They always are the healthiest looking roots on the plant.
I grew up in Asia, and my mom loves plants. All of her orchids are just attached to the different trees that are surrounding our backyard. She just tie them around the tree, and then for some time, the orchid will naturally just attached its self. She doesn't water them. The rain does.
I saw on an orchid selling website clay tubes for growing epiphytes. I am going to give it a go with a cattleya :)
You are so awesome! I think I told you one time before that I love arial roots too!! I watch you all of the time. I have close to 100 orchids and I love it. I have only been doing it for 6 going on 7 months( and I live in Florida) so basically it's grow season all of the time he! Keep up the good video but you also could add when it's bloom time for each orchid your talking about that day. Thanks Lisa P.
Lisa Pitman thanks Lisa! Glad you like the videos
nice
Hi Brad, nice video on the aerial roots, i love them too. i have a couple of orchids on which they grow like crazy... but that's due to some medium problem i'm having...
anyway, i have a question on broken aerial roots, there seems to be a small thread inside the root keeping everything together. is the humidity soaked up by the second segment still going to contribute to the overall nourishing of the plant?
I also never cut off live roots. I like them.
Watching some old videos. Oct 10, 2015 Orchid root care. On the Cattleya, what do you think if the orchid was slabbed onto foam?
What about planting one on a house plant tree like?
Have you ever tried the pot in a pot method? It requires no media, you put your over growing Catt, or other orchid in a slightly larger pot, and once it grows over that pot you put it in another slightly larger pot, on and on. It becomes a network of roots over pots and pots. The old media eventually breaks down and washes away and the acidity doesn't even really affect the plant since most of it is growing outside the pot. I would want to try this out but it works a lot better in a greenhouse where there is higher humidity. There was a discussion on my orchid forums: gardenweb (now by houzz) you should check out. I think it would be perfect for you to give a try if you haven't! You'll get no broken down media, and lots of those lovely aerial roots!
+Yani Singer cool, i'll check it out!
Thanks so much for your information about leaving orchid roots outside the pot. I have put off replanting one of my large pals because all it’s roots are on the outside due to the fact that the stem in the pot has broken off, leaving the orchid sort of hanging off the side, but apparently doing quite well. Now, I’m wondering if I should just remove it from the pot completely and find something else for it to rest on. What do you recommend?
Quick question, if the air roots are drying out, is that a sign of having too much water
Thanks so much for this video on orchid roots - very helpful!
Have you considered epiweb ore hygrolon? (there are some other names/brands too) it is made from plastic so will not decay. Have only tried epiweb myself indoors and I did not like it so much in a dry environment but will try again in my exoterra.
+awaros86 I have tried little bit of it but dont have a good or cheap supply
Hi Brad, I am just looking at your video and I noticed your phal is wet all over. Are you not concerned about water getting into the crown on the plant? I have heard so much about about crown rot and stem rot.
Thanks for the great advice.I absolutely agree with you
+سناء زكي thanks for watching!
I am a novice to orchids pretty much. I know they don't want their roots in the soil. Recently I found how to make Kokedama Ball planters. Pinterest shows orchids in them. My roommate tried one and put her roots in the ball. It died within two weeks. That was in May. We then proceeded to put the orchid, (mini dendrobiums I think), on top of the moss ball exposing the roots, We are in St Paul, MN. During the summer this was fine. Now, however, with the air dryer, the roots seem to die quickly and the blooms droopy. Is there s solution? Other than greenhouse conditions? I'm sure humidity is the key. Please search for how to make Kokedama Ball Planters and let me know your thoughts or suggestions.