Orchid roots have grown out of the pot: reasons and what to do

An orchid is a capricious plant that requires normal conditions for full growth and appropriate care. If these conditions are violated, aerial roots will grow from the pot. These roots can be either a normal symptom or a sign of a violation of growing guidelines.

Features of the root structure

Orchid roots perform two main functions:

• ensure the fixation of the plant on the substrate;
• provide it with the necessary nutrients required for full growth.

Plants growing on trees develop aerial roots. These are dense, flat or cylindrical shoots. Their upper surface is covered with a protective sheath, similar in structure to a soft sponge. This sheath also collects moisture from the air, providing the plant with essential nutrition and oxygen.

Orchids growing in pots or in the garden have underground roots. These roots are located in the soil and require plenty of space to thrive. The upper portion of the root system is above ground level, absorbing water and oxygen from the air. Like aerial roots, they form a strong and rigid structure.

Features of pruning

If an orchid's roots are growing upward, it can be alarming to a gardener. Their appearance above ground level may be a sign of a serious disease or insufficient pot space. This shouldn't be done if the root system is healthy and has a gray tint that turns green after watering. Before trimming an orchid's roots, it's important to determine whether they are alive or dead.

Alive

Never trim a protruding living root. This will cause pain to the plant, leading to wilting or serious disease. You can distinguish a dead root from a living root by performing a simple test: place the orchid in a container of water. A living root will immediately turn green, and its structure will become firm and smooth.

The Dead

Dead aerial roots of orchids must be trimmed. They will deprive the plant of nutrients and cause it to wilt. They also prevent the formation of a new root system, which would otherwise provide secure anchorage and promote healthy growth. You can distinguish them from living ones by performing the same test. Dead roots will not change color or texture after exposure to water; the phalaenopsis should be trimmed immediately.

If they climbed out of the pot

If your orchid's roots have grown out of the pot, don't worry, as this is normal for this type of plant. Nature designed this root system to better absorb moisture and air. Only dead roots need to be trimmed. Living roots should not be removed, regardless of how much space they take up in the pot.

The reason for the appearance of aerial roots

Not all orchids grow roots upward. This is inevitable only in certain species and varieties. This can also be caused by the plant being exposed to unfavorable conditions, which led to drying out, mold, woodiness, or discoloration.

Drying

A common reason for roots to grow out of their pots is drying out. Gardeners believe this is a natural process of self-preservation. Orchids can more easily access nutrients when their roots are above ground level. Preventing this is simple: water the plant regularly.

Aerial root growth isn't the only consequence of overdrying. It can make the plant more susceptible to injury during transportation, and it's highly likely to suffer burns from overfertilization or develop fungal infections. If the plant isn't watered or sprayed promptly, it will quickly die.

Mold

Orchids are very delicate plants. Aerial roots can also develop due to overwatering. These roots can also show signs of mold and fungus. They can also protrude from the soil due to insufficient light or low temperatures. To prevent this, water the orchid only after the soil begins to dry out. The optimal temperature for orchids is 20-25 degrees Celsius.

Lignification

If an orchid has many aerial roots, but they have a dense, woody structure, this is a sign of aging. This can be attributed to a natural, inevitable process of aging. To prevent this, carefully trim away the dead roots, leaving only the living ones.

Color change

Along with the orchid's roots protruding, they can also change color. A sharp reddening indicates that the roots are still growing. In this case, nothing needs to be done; they will soon return to their normal color.

Large, rusty-black roots protrude from the soil, indicating an increased accumulation of salts. They emerge from the soil because they are not receiving sufficient nutrients. Low temperatures and dry air can worsen the situation. Therefore, to save the plant, ensure ample ventilation and place the pot away from heating devices.

What should I do?

The first thing to do with orchid aerial roots is to monitor the plant's subsequent behavior. During this period, it's necessary to adjust watering, provide the plant with optimal light and humidity levels in the room. If the aerial roots begin to take up too much space, they should be repotted. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Wait until flowering ends.
2. Remove the entire plant from the pot and dip it in water to soften the substrate and soil.
3. Carefully remove the orchid from the soil, lightly shaking off the roots.
4. Remove dead and dried roots.
5. Plant the plant in a new pot so that the entire root system is in the soil.

After repotting, it's recommended to place the plant in the shade, away from direct sunlight. Watering the soil is recommended afterward, but first, make holes in the new pot to ensure adequate drainage of excess water.

Root pruning

If your orchid's roots have grown out of the pot, they can be carefully removed. Trimming them is recommended to promote health and growth. Dead and rotten roots should be removed. Failure to do so will begin the breakdown of organic compounds, which will negatively impact the plant's growth. Root pruning involves several steps: preparing the tools, identifying the roots, removing them, and post-treatment.

Preparing the tools

To remove plant roots, you'll need special garden pruning shears or a sharp knife. Beforehand, the tool should be disinfected or treated with alcohol; failure to do so can result in infection.

Finding elements that need to be shortened

Before treating the root system, shake off the soil and examine it carefully. You can wet the roots first to make it easier to separate the dead from the living. Remove any shoots that are no longer growing, have a gray tint after exposure to water, or show signs of rot or mold.

The process itself

To trim the roots, you need to do the following:

1. Water the soil in the orchid pot generously.
2. After a few seconds, remove the plant from the substrate.
3. Separate rotten and dry shoots.
4. Cut off problem areas with pre-disinfected pruning shears or scissors.
5. Treat the cut areas with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or fungicide.
6. Place the lower cut areas in a vitamin solution. To prepare it, mix one ampoule each of vitamins B, B1, and B12. Place the cuttings in the solution and leave for 10-15 minutes.

After treatment, repot the plant in the same or a new pot. After planting, add some soil to improve stability. If treatment is performed correctly, numerous new roots will appear within 2-3 months.

How and what to treat the flower with after the procedure

It's essential to treat the orchid's roots after pruning. Open cuts can allow infection or bacteria from the soil to enter the plant, causing it to wither or die. To prevent this, treat the roots with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or a fungicide after pruning. Experienced gardeners recommend using one of several solutions for this purpose:

• wood or activated carbon, pre-crushed;
• crushed sphagnum moss;
• brilliant green;
• ground cinnamon.

One of the products should be carefully applied to the damaged area, ensuring it completely covers the joint. The main purpose of using these products is to prevent infection from penetrating the plant. They also prevent the risk of rot and speed up the wound healing process.

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Choosing the right filler

Another reason why roots protrude is due to using the wrong potting medium. Only a special potting medium is suitable for growing orchids, and it can be purchased ready-made at a gardening store. You can also create your own from soil, moss, and bark.

Growing flowers in ordinary soil will create unfavorable conditions for them, making it impossible for them to develop a dense root system. Therefore, aerial shoots may begin to appear within a few months after planting.

Aftercare of the plant

After repotting or pruning, avoid watering the plant for 2-3 days, as excessive moisture will encourage fungus or mold growth. Place the pot in a sunny window, but create a small curtain to block direct sunlight.

Then, water regularly—three times a week. During extreme summer heat, the plant needs to be watered daily. Periodically, add mineral fertilizer to the soil to ensure the plant's healthy growth.

Conclusion

Don't worry about what to do if your orchid's roots are growing out of its pot. This can be a normal sign for a healthy plant, and you should monitor its condition going forward. But if the roots and the flower itself have taken on an unnatural, unhealthy appearance, you should trim the old roots or replant a plant into another pot.