Repotting an orchid with air roots can appear like a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and techniques, it can be readily done. Air roots are a unique feature of orchids and require particular care when repotting. The purpose of this article is to show you through the process of repotting an orchid with air roots, including the tools you’ll require and the best practices to ensure your orchid thrives in its new container. No matter if you’re a beginning or professional orchid collector, this guide will help you repot an orchid with air roots.

Let’s take a peek at how to repot an orchid with air roots in detail.

Step to Repot an Orchid With Air Roots

For most plants, seeing roots rising out of the potting soil and in the air instead would be a cause for panic. For some types of orchids, though, this behavior is perfectly ordinary.

• Air roots help maintain your orchid healthy and allow the plant to have access to the air and nutrients that it needs to thrive. Attempting to repot an orchid with air roots may seem intimidating, but the procedure is not much more difficult than repotting an orchid without air roots.

Keep reading to find out better about why orchids have air roots and how to care for orchids with air roots. Although seeing an orchid with air roots for the first period may be startling, by the time you finish learning more about them, you’ll enjoy how these unique features help orchids thrive.

What Are Orchid Air Roots?

You’ve probably seen that most of your orchid’s roots grow downward into their growing medium. However, you’ve likely also seen that a few of the roots seem to grow above the growing medium. These air roots, also called aerial roots, are rather specific for orchids.

Phalaenopsis and other epiphyte orchids do not succeed in the ground in their natural habitat. Instead, these orchids attach themselves to tree stems. Their roots absorb nutrients and water from the air.

So, seeing a few air roots on your orchid is expected. As long as the air roots are strong and white, then they are healthy.

Orchid Roots Growing Out of Pot

If the number of air roots grows, it may be a sign that your orchid needs to be repotted. If the roots that are in the growing medium are having a hard time drinking nutrients, then the plant may send out more aerial roots.

Check the roots in the pot before choosing to repot. Also, take into thinking how long it has been since the last moment that you repotted the orchid. Seeing extra orchid roots rising out of the container is not always a sign that your orchid ought to be repotted.

Comprehending the Key of Repotting an Orchid with Air Roots

Orchids are known for their exquisite looks and unique charm, making them a popular choice among plant fans. These delicate flowers have a reputation for being picky.

One aspect of orchid care that often goes ignored is the importance of reporting, especially when it comes to orchids with air roots.

Step to Repot an Orchid With Air Roots

Repotting an orchid with air roots isn’t that much further from repotting other orchids. Here’s what you need to do.

1. Carefully pull the orchid from its pot. If your orchid is particularly large, then you can tip the receptacle on its side and gently slide it out. Otherwise, you can turn the whole container upside down.
2. Remove the old potting medium from the receptacle, and gently shake your orchid’s roots to remove the old potting soil that is sticking to them.
3. Wash the roots in lukewarm water for about 10-15 minutes. Try to hold water off the crown during this time, but if you do get water on it, you can still wipe it off with a towel.
4. Trim away any roots that are smooth, dried-out, or brown. Leave the healthy green roots alone, though.
5. Set the orchid in its new pot. Keep the orchid in the center and carefully place the new potting medium around the roots. Keep the air bases out of the new soil. It’s alright if one or two of them end up hidden, though. It can be difficult to recognize which roots were aerial roots after soaking them.
6. Because you have washed the roots, you can wait about a week before watering your orchid.

Pot Size

Although the pot that you use for your orchid may not appear as big a deal as using the correct soil or giving your orchid the proper amount of water, the pot that you select does play a role in helping your orchid thrive.

A pot that is too small will make it difficult for the orchid’s roots to develop properly and stunt the development of the orchid. On the other side, a pot that is too big will hold too much developing medium and prevent your orchid’s root from getting enough sunlight and atmosphere.

The best thing to do to guarantee that your orchid is in the correct size pot is to select a slightly bigger pot for your orchid each moment you report. Measure the size of the pot that your orchid is now in so that you can select a new one that is just a little bit bigger.

The bulk of orchids require pots that are between 4-6 inches. Of course, as orchids grow, some older specimens may require even larger pots. There are a few kinds of orchids that start off larger, but they will come in larger pots when you buy them to start with.

Caring for Damaged Orchid Aerial Roots

Aerial roots are important for your orchid’s fitness, but there is no reason to panic over minor damage to aerial roots. Because air roots are told, they sometimes get broken. Use sterilized scissors to make a clean crack if needed. Then you can either use 3% hydrogen peroxide to the open area or allow it to air dry on its own.

After this, resume caring for the orchid as normal. Don’t move it, change its watering program, or apply extra fertilizer. The orchid might experience a tiny bit of stress from losing an aerial root, but it will recover. Orchids naturally lose some of their air bases in their native environment, and an orchid will grow more aerial roots to replace the damaged ones when required.

FAQs

1. What are air roots on an orchid?
Air roots are special roots that grow above the replanting blend. They help the orchid absorb humidity and nutrients from the air. These roots are essential for the factory‘s health, especially for orchids that grow in nature.

2. Can I cut air roots when repotting?
It’s stylish to avoid cutting air roots unless they’re dead or damaged. Healthy air roots help your orchid stay healthy. However, only cut the corridors that are brown or mushy, If you must trim them.

3. What kind of replanting blend should I use for orchids with air roots?
Use a replanting blend designed for orchids, which generally includes accouterments like a dinghy, sphagnum moss, or perlite. This blend allows good air rotation and drainage, which is important for the health of both the roots and the factory.