When it comes to orchid care, a lot of attention is paid to the care and protection of their root systems. These comprehensive systems are highly Sensitive to humidity and fungi.And fungal rot is to blame for the failure of many orchids.
With all of their grooming needs, it’s logical to wonder if these vital parts will ever need to be trimmed. While orchids generally don’t require regular pruning, their roots can sometimes be a special case. Let’s discuss whether there is any reason to prune the roots of your orchid.
short answer
When it comes to orchid roots, General rule without deductionHowever, this only applies to healthy ones, as diseased tissue should always be removed to protect the plant. It is also acceptable to prune sympodial orchids when dividing them.
long answer
In general, I would recommend avoiding pruning as long as you are dealing with a healthy orchid. However, there are some circumstances that make pruning a necessity for the health of the plant. Before we get into it, I would like to cover some basics of growing and caring for orchids.
a little background
The orchid family is extensive and includes more than 25,000 species Divided into about 850 species. Although there is much variation between these species, certain similarities link many of them.
Although not all orchids have the same growth habits, many of the ones we keep as houseplants do. Most of these plants are epiphytes. Epiphytes are plants that grow on other larger plants, helping to meet their needs. Don’t confuse them with parasites; Epiphytic plants do not harm their hosts.
Because they have adapted to their environment, the root systems of these plants are sensitive to moisture. This is where they get most of their moisture. Precipitation and humiditySince they do not grow in soil, they have to absorb water and nutrients from the air.
Along with this adaptation also comes insecurity. Due to their absorption capacity, they are susceptible to infection by fungal and bacterial pathogens. Cutting them makes them more vulnerable, as it leaves an open wound. Generally, if your roots are healthy, you should avoid cutting or breaking them.
I want to talk briefly about growth habits here, because there are two of them, and important distinctionThis difference will become more evident when we talk about dividing orchids.
In terms of the way they produce new shoots, orchids are either sympodial or monopodial. Both types have a central rhizome or stem from which all new growth appears. The difference is in the direction of that rhizome and the way it produces that new growth.
- monopodial: Monopodial orchids have a vertical rhizome and grow continuously upwards. About once a year, the plant will drop its lower leaves and produce one or more flower spikes among the new leaves. Phalaenopsis and Vanda orchids are the most common monopodial orchids sold as houseplants. Looking at them you will see that they appear to be a single plant with a single root system.
- symbolic: Sympodial orchids have a horizontal rhizome. They send out individual pseudobulbs along this rhizome. Each of these pseudobulbs will produce a flower spike once in its life. After the flowers bloom, the pseudobulb serves as a nutrient storage system for the rest of the plant.
Some common sympodial orchids you will find include Dendrobium, Cattleya, Oncidium and Laelia. When you look at this plant without its potting material, you will notice that each The pseudobulbs have some roots. attached hereto.
With these facts, there are exceptions to the no-cut rule that will be discussed. Let’s see what situations may arise in which pruning is beneficial.
healthy roots
Healthy orchids can grow quite large over time and need a pot that fits their size. Great root system. Because they absorb most of the moisture and nutrients through this tissue, increased needs mean more growth.
In addition to roots growing underneath, many orchids also grow aerial roots. These grow from the folds of the leaves, above the level of the potting medium.
It may be tempting to prune them to keep the plant clean. resist the urge! They are important for the survival of orchids. must remain intact,
For aerial roots and roots that protrude from the container, do not prune them. If they are healthy, they are vital to the health of the plant. Cutting them weakens the plant in two ways:
- This reduces the orchid’s ability to absorb water and nutrients to maintain the mature size of the plant. This is likely to manifest as reduced flowering.
- This causes unnecessary open wounds on the plant. This leads to energy being spent on healing instead of producing new growth.
damaged roots
When it comes to roots that are unhealthy for one reason or another, no changes to cutting rulesThere are several reasons why they may need some TLC. Those that dry out, rot, or are diseased or damaged pose a threat to the plant’s health.
Dry tissue is generally not a major cause for concern, except when it indicates a dehydrated orchid. If you notice that the aerial roots dry out, it is necessary to increase the ambient humidity. If the bottoms appear wrinkled and brittle, your plant needs more frequent or intensive watering.
there are too many cavities or diseased tissue threat to general healthToo much water or rotten substrate can cause fungal rot. The tissue that has broken down will be dark in color, usually brown or black, and soft. Healthy tissue is green or white, firm and thick.
If you leave the rotted tissue intact, you compromise the rest of the plant. If your orchid has fungal rot, you will need to remove the affected parts all the way to the top, where they connect to the rhizome. Otherwise, they will spread to the rest, causing crown rot and the death of the plant.
You may have heard that different substances should be used to treat cuts made when removing rotted tissue. things like Cinnamon and hydrogen peroxide They are often cited as a good way to prevent the spread of disease.
Unfortunately, while these things can prevent the spread of cavities, they are more likely to dry out the tissues. I would just apply a light coating of powdered sulfur to the cut areas. This will help them heal faster and cleaner. However, don’t overdo it because sulfur can also be drying.
reinstall
When the time comes to repot your orchid, you will have roots to fight with. If your plant is in a porous container, it is likely to grow attached to containerIt is important to handle these roots carefully when transplanting.
Never remove them from the container, but water your plants well a few hours before replanting them. Let the container soak in a bucket or sink filled with water to saturate the roots. This makes them more flexible and easier to work with without breaking or getting damaged.
Use a stiff card, such as a credit card, to loosen any tissues stuck to the container. do your best don’t break them Or leave open wounds. Choose a new container that is large enough to accommodate the entire root system.
When transplanting, you should only trim damaged and diseased tissue. If it’s healthy, don’t cut it. Orchids do not require regular pruning.
divider
Dividing a symbiotic species is the only other reason you would need to prune the roots of your orchid. If you remember the difference between Monopodial and sympodialYou will understand a little of what I mean here.
Since symbiotic species grow horizontally, you divide them between the pseudobulbs and you must divide them completely. Even in this case, it is advisable to cut as little as possible.
Before dividing your plant, soak the container in water to soften the roots. Make them more flexible. The goal is to hopefully separate them without breaking or breaking them. Cut between the two pseudobulbs along the rhizome, leaving some of both parts attached.
If you need to make any cuts to separate the plants, use a clean, sharp blade to make the cut. a couple of cutting pieces Or you should use sharp scissors.
final thoughts
Although the generally accepted rule is leave them intactThere are a few reasons why you may need to prune the roots of your orchid. Whenever you need to make these cuts, be sure to use a clean, sharp tool that you have good control over. Make as few cuts as possible and completely remove decaying tissue.
