What Are Orchid Air Roots and Why This is a Survival Mechanism
So, you have grown a beautiful Orchid. The blooms are your pride and joy. But what’s this? What are those odd tentacles growing out of the pot like an alien horror movie?
Worry not. In this section, we’ll discuss the most surprising way that orchids have evolved to absorb oxygen – Orchid air roots, sometimes called aerial roots. Air roots are root-like structures that grow from the stem of an orchid, which reach through soil into the air, allowing them to directly take in atmospheric oxygen and release water vapor as a by-product. This type of adaptation is called geophyte, meaning “earth-feet”.
Why do orchids have air roots and what do they look like?
To understand this, we need to get a little technical. Orchids are naturally epiphytic plants, meaning that they grow on other plants, rather than growing in soil. Therefore, Orchids are one species of plants that can grow air roots to generate oxygen and absorb nutrients. The air root is a unique survival mechanism that orchids use to survive in harsh and inhospitable conditions.. These air roots have a way to help the plant absorb air and get oxygen while other plants depend on their roots to do this. So basically, don’t worry if you find orchids roots growing outside the pot.
The healthy orchid roots outside and inside the pot do differ slightly in the velamen’s thickness. While plants grown inside taller containers tend to have thinner velamen, plants grown in smaller pots develop thicker, velamen.
Velamen is a type of tissue found in many plants. It comprises two layers of cells, the endodermis and cortex that are sandwiched together with an air space between them. These layers are called the velamen Radicum because they are not vascularized like other tissues in the plant. Vela helps to keep water inside the plant and also protects it from getting too dry. Part of the roots are responsible for anchoring the plant in position, as well as for absorbing essential water and nutrients. This velamen also acts like a sponge, soaking up water.
One of the most important parts on any orchid plant is aerial roots because these root conditions superficially mimic their natural habitat. It is important for orchids to have aerial roots, because in nature, these plants are taken-up by animals like birds or insects and are dispersed. This allows them to have a higher chance of reproducing and spreading into new areas.
As the potting medium degrades over time and the roots within it become stressed, they are at a much increased risk of experiencing root rot and necrosis. This will necessitate repotting.
Why does my orchid have so many air roots?
So now you know why orchids send out air roots. An orchid needs more freedom to grow, and that’s why it’s always looking for air roots, for epiphytic orchids need their root system be large enough.
If your orchid has lots of air roots, it might be because she’s not getting enough room to grow. Or maybe her pot is too small. The pot could also make the roots dry out too quickly, which could lead to air roots. If this is happening, it’s time to repot the orchid into a larger container and provide better care! However, don’t automatically presume your orchid is unhealthy just because it is growing air roots.
Just remember that as long as your orchid roots are not brown, black or mushy to the touch you have healthy orchid roots, regardless of where they grow.
Orchid Root Rot
Click here to learn more about Orchid root rot, why it happens and how to avoid or treat it.
Why my orchid’s air roots turn from white/silvery to green?
Roots that are in good health are firm to the touch and range in colour from white to green. It is not necessary for orchid roots to be brilliant green all the time. In reality, they should only be bright green for a short period of time after they have been watered. If the roots are consistently brilliant green, this is an indicator that they are drowning in the water supply. This kind of orchid will eventually perish as a result of over-watering.
Never rely on your orchid’s aerial roots to inform you when to water it. As an alternative, examine the potting material and even touch it. Refrain from watering if the soil is still moist.
Caring for Orchids roots growing outside pot
Some individuals enjoy the image of orchid aerial roots dangling from their pots, while others find them unappetizing. But caring for them is relatively easy. Just think carefully before trimming the roots.
Remember that the plant is searching out for oxygen and nutrients, as well as security of anchoring.
- Water well but not excessively.
- Check your humidity.
- Consider feeding with an appropriate fertilizer (though some people do not see any validity in fertilizers.)
- Repot your plant.
But the best advice is just to leave them alone.
Can Orchid Air Roots Be Trimmed?
Are you wondering what to do with orchid air roots as you clutch a pair of scissors in your hand? Well, hold on there.
Because they don’t conform to our ideal of what a beautiful orchid should look like, aerial roots may entice us to chop them off. But the fact is the orchid relies heavily on its aerial roots. Aerial roots, like the leaves and stems, help in photosynthesis. Water and nutrients in the atmosphere are also taken up by aerial roots. Aerial roots also help the orchid attach to its host.
- Aerial roots that are already dead can be cut with a utility knife. Even if you’re growing your orchid indoors and don’t require it to be attached to a tree, you should not clip the aerial roots if they are still healthy. There are several explanations for this. In the event of a root rot in the potted media, healthy aerial roots would serve as a backup plan.
- Cutting living roots would leave an open wound that might be infected by germs.
- Aerial roots perform important functions for the orchid.
- If you wish to remove any air roots, wait until the plant has been watered so that the air roots are more malleable and soft.
If your orchid has only a few aerial roots and the remainder of the plant and roots are healthy, it is likely to survive. Though bear in mind that new emerging roots might be a useful sign of the need to repot.
How to repot an orchid with air roots.
So despite now knowing that orchid roots growing out of pot are natural, you still want to report your plant. Well, here a few a few points to consider.
Your orchid’s emerging roots are a sure indicator that it’s time to repot. These new roots indicate the orchid is beginning to develop actively and will provide the best opportunity for a newly potted orchid to establish itself in a new container. Care must be used while potting these young roots, since they are delicate. Remember though that repotting can have a negative impact on the health of your orchid.
If your orchid pot is crammed full of roots, so much so that they are straining at the pot and rising out of the media, consider repotting your orchid.
It is important that the orchid’s aerial roots should be left exposed and its potted roots should be placed in the potting media. Velamen is thicker on aerial roots, and the roots’ physiology is distinct from that of roots grown in potting soil.
If you want a more in-depth discussion on reporting an orchid then click here.
Difference between aerial root and a flower stem
The distinction between a flower spike and an aerial root on some orchids might be difficult to discern. This is how you can identify the difference: the smooth tip of an aerial root. As it grows, the flower spike’s tip looks like a closed hand with ridges on the knuckles.
Why do orchids develop air roots? Simply because they can. Orchid aerial roots Air roots are a key component in the survival of orchids and it is important to take care of them. Air roots should be positioned so they can get light and not get too wet. They should be sprayed with water once a week, but do not soak them in water.
Useful reading https://bklynorchids.com/2010/04/26/how-to-identify-a-new-orchid-root-vs-flower-spike/
And https://myfirstorchid.com/2016/08/11/difference-between-a-root-and-a-spike/
Conclusion
