In addition to the unique flower, aerial roots are the most striking feature of orchids. Sometimes they grow all over the place out of the pot or surprisingly appear in the upper part of the stem. You can read about the function of aerial roots on orchids here. Benefit from our tips on proper care.

The aerial roots are of great importance for the orchid

Lifeline and natural tether at the same time

Aerial roots fulfill several tasks in the physiology of orchids. They serve the innumerable epiphytic species for fixation high up in the crowns of mighty jungle giants. So that the epiphytes do not lose their footing on the branches, they cling to them with part of their roots. The other part of their aerial roots traps the rain to carry moisture and nutrients to the leaves and flowers.

Caring for aerial roots properly - That's what matters

An orchid with succulent, silvery-green aerial roots is doing splendidly. To keep it that way, please pay attention to the following care program:

  • Spray aerial roots daily in summer, every 2-3 days in winter
  • Depending on the temperature and season, immerse the root ball in soft, room-warm water when it is dry
  • Add orchid fertilizer to the immersion water every 4 weeks during the growth and flowering period

In order for aerial roots to be able to optimally fulfill their function as a supply line, they depend on access to light. Therefore, always place an epiphytic orchid in a transparent culture pot. If you use a planter, it should be at least twice as big and have a pedestal inside for the transparent pot.

Please never cut off healthy aerial roots

If countless aerial roots protrude beyond the edge of the pot, please do not cut them off under any circumstances. With many aerial roots, the orchid signals the desire for a larger culture pot. Before or after the next flowering period, please repot the plant into a larger container with fresh orchid soil. If the root network lies in front of you without substrate, dead aerial roots can be removed with a sharp, clean knife. The healthy root strands are softened by a dip so that they can be inserted into the new pot with a twisting motion.

Use aerial roots on the upper stem for propagation - this is how it works

One of the special qualities of the popular Phalaenopsis orchid is that it surprises us with aerial roots in the upper part of the stem. Where flowers should actually develop, the root strands protrude. These are offshoots that you can use for propagation. When 2 to 3 small aerial roots and a few leaves have formed, cut off the child and place it in a small pot.

tips

A few orchids can do without aerial roots. These are terrestrial orchids that prefer a place on the safe ground. Vanilla planifolia, the only useful plant in the kingdom of orchids, is one of them, as are orchids and other native species. Terrestrial orchids prefer a loose, humus-rich substrate that is enriched with perlite (€37.51), lava granules (€13.99) or small pieces of bark.

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Indoor plants