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kate_grow

root conditions

18 years ago

Hi,

I have a concern about roots on phalanopsis. The gower I buy from has plants with what I consider beautiful roots on the plants. They are thicker than a pencil and smooth. The potting medium (a bark mix) usually looks wet and the roots are dark green (which I take to mean they are wet). I have bought a number of these plants over several years and I don't think I am keeping them up well but I am not sure what to change. The roots that are higher up in the pot become thinner and creased as if they have been deflated. I took this to mean I wasn't watering enough, but I also gradually seem to loose roots rather than increase the root ball which makes me think I have root rot. However, the plants keep growing and blooming. I normally water by setting the pots in water until soaked (20min or so). I have read quite a lot about watering methods, but they seem contradictory (water only from the top, water only from the bottom etc.) and I haven't seen much about how to judge the conditions from the roots.

So do I have too much water or too little?

Any suggestions on how to improve my watering?

And how can I encourage root growth on the plants that are loosing roots?

Thanks!

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